Bollore SA, an investment company controlled by French billionaire Vincent Bollore, is competing to expand its African unit to operate five more port terminals and is eyeing similar growth in Asia and Latin America.
Increasing annual infrastructure spending in the U.S. by $157bn over the next eight years would save $3.1tr in gross domestic product, $1.1tr in trade and 3.5 million jobs, according to a report from the American Society of Civil Engineers.
U.S. oil production has exceeded 7 million barrels a day for the first time since March 1993 as improved drilling techniques boosted exploration across the country and reinforced a shift toward energy independence.
Manufacturing picked up in December, reflecting growth in orders, employment and exports that indicate the U.S. expansion will be sustained in 2013 following the budget deal.
Canadian National Railway Co. (CNR) and Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. (CP), the country's No. 1 and 2 carriers, are rushing to build terminals to load oil beyond the reach of pipelines in some of North America's remotest regions.
North American railroads from Burlington Northern Santa Fe to CSX Corp. (CSX) are bracing for limited increases in pre-holiday shipments as weak consumer sentiment exacerbates shrinking corn and coal loads.
Regulations on U.S. manufacturing may reduce output by as much as $500bn this year, according to an industry-sponsored study that cast doubts on President Barack Obama's efforts to trim red tape in the federal government.