Despite increased congestion, higher costs and more demanding consumers throughout the EU, the logistics-savvy Netherlands again has proved that it is the right choice for global companies looking for a European base of distribution operations.

Few analysts predicted the surge of ocean containers that moved across the Pacific in 2006-or the surprising lack of congestion that accompanied it.

Major investments in equipment and infrastructure largely account for the ability to process traffic and volume efficiently, but industry needs to see continued ROI if such infusion of capital is to continue.

Railroads are managing growth in international and domestic intermodal for now, but broad policy decisions must be made on how to insure capacity meets robust demand in the future.