As e-commerce continues to grow, so does the number of fulfillment options available to merchants. In particular, an increasing number of third-party logistics providers (3PLs) have emerged, handling all or some fulfillment operations for merchants who don't see it as a core competency.

Dutch shipbuilder Veka Group is building two hybrid trimarans for transporting personnel and freight to offshore wind farms. The company claims that the vessels will be the first hybrid trimarans in the world.

Maersk, the world's largest container shipping line, has teamed up with Alibaba to allow customers to reserve space on its vessels through the Chinese company, illustrating growing cooperation between e-commerce and logistics firms.

Low interest rates, healthy consumer spending and strong e-commerce are forming good conditions for industrial and logistics real estate growth in 2017, says JLL, an investment management firm that offers real estate services. Potential investment in infrastructure and continued company expansion are also expected to fuel demand for warehouses and distribution centers despite global economic uncertainty.

Sri Lanka will take part in a joint venture with China Merchants Port Holdings Company Limited to develop a port in its south, where China has also been offered an investment zone.

As it continues infrastructure upgrades, Miami International Airport (MIA) has announced further growth in its freighter service with the addition of two weekly roundtrip flights on a triangular route between MIA, Mexico City and Mérida via AeroUnion.

Shenyang Airport sees promising potential in northeastern China, not far from the border with North Korea. In September, Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd. (Hactl) subsidiary Hactl Development Holdings signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with Liaoning Airport Management Group, owner of Shenyang Taoxian International Airport, in what both parties described as "a first step in developing the airport as a major regional hub."