The outsourcing of logistics is supposed to save businesses big money. They pay only for the services they need; they turn over complex operations to a pro, and they get expensive assets off their books. It all makes eminent sense - unless your name is Amazon.com Inc.

Though the U.S. logistics industry has recovered unexpectedly well from the last recession, reaching record highs in occupancy and absorption, experts believe the growth in property rents and values will peak sometime this year.

With the national average diesel price falling below $2 per gallon, truckload rates on the spot market continued on a downward trend. Freight brokers usually quote a one-time price that includes both a line-haul portion and the fuel surcharge; declining fuel prices influence spot market rates significantly.

The last decade has been a golden one for shipping goods around the world's biggest economy, and American railways have been a rare example of capitalism working well, with a virtuous cycle of demand, giant profits, and vast investment in rolling stock and tracks.