This research brief, authored by Avison Young, reviews historical trends in port activity, local logistics employment, and vacancies, rents and absorption rates in adjacent industrial markets. Building on observations from the historical data, a regression analysis of the relationship between changes in port activity, truck traffic and industrial space absorption demonstrates that changes in import volume have a substantial effect on occupancy in port markets.

This white paper looked at significant logistics drivers which may impact industrial space over the next 10 years, including an analysis of which ports will benefit by the expansion of the Panama Canal and how this will affect local, regional and inland industrial space in the distribution sector.

The report provides strategic intelligence regarding the most significant trends shaping industrial markets across North America. Trends and issues influencing warehousing are covered, including NAFTA; the Panama Canal expansion; the role of major ports and South American growth in import and export.

This report examines infrastructure planning and financing on both a regional and local level. User charges and benefit capture methods are analyzed as well as cost of community services and growth subsidies; includes case studies on Atlanta, Las Vegas, Twin Cities and Portland, Oregon.