Consumers and businesses take it for granted that they can get almost anything, any time they want it. If you can deliver sooner, with fewer errors, and at a lower cost than your competitors, you have a critical advantage.

The index ISM uses to measure non-manufacturing growth—known as the NMI—was 53.4 in February (a level of 50 or higher indicates growth), which was 0.1 percent off from January, with economic activity in the non-manufacturing sector growing for the 73rd consecutive month. The February PMI is 3.2 percent below the 12-month average of 56.6.

In the freight railroad sector, it truly seems that there is a press release issued by a Class I railroad carrier or a national news item with a common theme: railroad consolidation. This mostly stems from Canadian Pacific’s well-documented and myriad overtures to acquire Norfolk Southern, which has proved unsuccessful at least to this point but not over by any stretch either.

The three ports that hosted the largest container ship ever to call on a North American port this past week all had one thing in common – Seattle-based SSA Marine handled the cargo.

The Benjamin Franklin – capable of carrying 18,000 20-foot equivalent units [TEUs] – arrived in Seattle after making call in Long Beach and Oakland, signaling a “sea change” in West Coast shipping.