The recently released Geodis 2017 Supply Chain Worldwide Survey (SCWS) underscored the evolution of supply chains - from the simple delivery of products to "a crucial lever for business performance." Trends such as e-commerce require more specialization than ever, which, in turn, drives complexity, Geodis says.

Shipping goods across borders with reusable containers and tracking systems is better for the environment, consumers and companies, yet differential treatment by customs authorities can be detrimental for business, says the International Chamber of Commerce.

The "Amazon-Prime Effect" - the notion that everything you order should arrive on your doorstep in two days - has left brands and retailers scrambling to keep up. As consumers' expectations grow and their patience around delivery time shrinks, one tactic businesses use to combat increasing time constraints is transparency.

The gap between the top-performing airfreight forwarders and those at the bottom, in terms of profit margins, appears to be growing wider, and may continue doing so for the next few years, according to results of a recent poll by Descartes Software and the U.S. Airforwarders Association (AfA).