The logistics sector in 2011 was characterized by flat freight volume and higher rates, says Rosalyn Wilson, senior business analyst at Delcan, who researches and writes the annual State of Logistics report. The report is underwritten by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals and Penske Logistics.

CEVA Logistics has expanded its less-than-containerload (LCL) ocean freight services into the U.S. Midwest.

Increasing labor costs in China's heavily industrialized areas, mostly along the coastline, are driving many companies to move production to the country's inland regions, creating a number of logistics and supply chain challenges, according to Greg Spudic, vice president of North American sales and marketing for Dimerco Express.

A new air ship capable of vertical takeoffs and landings and with a 66-ton cargo capacity could be a game-changer in the 3PL industry, says Shenny Yao, vice president, Washington, DC operations, Worldwide Aeros, developer of the Aeroscraft, a rigid variable buoyancy air vehicle.

Not all logistics service providers do the same thing, and not all do the same things well, a new report from Tompkins Supply Chain Consortium says.

In emerging markets, regulations impacting trade and business differ greatly from country to country and changes constantly occur with little or no notice, says Mark Millar, managing partner at M Power Associates, Hong Kong. Because of this, trade compliance is an increasingly important issue for companies doing business in these economies.

Officials at CaseStack, Inc. says its facility in Scranton, Pa., has expanded its Wal-Mart Stores consolidation program to include all 42 of the retailer's regional distribution centers.

The American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN) continues to improve its capabilities, most recently by completing a mapping project that enhances the organization's ability to match the resources of its members with specific needs of relief agencies.

Import cargo volume at the nation's major retail container ports is expected to increase 6.3 percent in August compared with the same month last year, and 2012 should show an increase of 4.8 percent over last year, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

As with a marriage, the success of 3PL partnership is largely determined before the union is sealed, says Harry Drajpuch, CEO of Weber Logistics. Clarity about mutual expectations and the nature of the relationship, whether tactical or strategic, are issues that need to be thrashed out well in advance of any commitments.