What international events are motivating the initiative?

•  Globalization has resulted in major shifts in global trading patterns
•  Growth of new trade centres in the emerging markets of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS)which is expected to accelerate with the expansion of the Panama Canal, due to be completed in 2015

Shippers serving the 800 million person market in the Americas, in particular, and other markets, need to make the most of cost efficiencies of sea freight with that of the quicker but more expensive air freight. Finalizing production processes in locations close to the final consumer, allows for speed, efficiency and reduced costs to everyone.