Despite concerns over the government shutdown, import volume at the nation's major retail container ports is expected to grow 9.1 percent in October over the same month last year, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. The numbers reflect merchandise ordered months before the shutdown as retailers planned for the holiday season.

The world's biggest container shipping line by market share is predicting that the world will come out of the funk induced by the financial crisis in the coming two years.

China is struggling to combat illegal imports which smugglers conceal in mass freight as the country's logistics industry booms.

Worldwide perishable reefer trade increased by 52.1 million tonnes between 2002 and 2012, which represents a combined annual growth rate of 3.6 percent, according to Drewry's latest Reefer Shipping Market Annual Review and Forecast. Seaborne perishable reefer cargo has increased by a CAGR of 3.3 percent (25.6 million tonnes) from 66.8 million tonnes in 2002 to 92.4 million tonnes in 2012.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) revised its 2013 global industry outlook downwards to $11.7bn on revenues of $708bn. Airline performance continued to improve in the second quarter, but at a slower pace than was expected with the previous projection (in June) of $12.7bn. This reflects the impact on demand of the oil price spike associated with the Syrian crisis and disappointing growth in several key emerging markets.