Introduction

Abstract

This book is about international logistics and the international logistics system. International means that it will deal with transactions involving individuals or firms in more than one nation. Logistics means the organized movement of goods, services, and, sometimes, people. Logistics was originally a military term. For example, in author Tom Clancy’s novel, Red Storm Rising, Russian General Alekseyev thought to himself about a battlefield situation: ‘The tactics … no, amateurs discuss tactics. Professional soldiers study logistics.” ¹ When one speaks of the international logistics system, he means that huge array of carriers, forwarders, bankers, traders, and so on that facilitate international transactions, trades, and movements of goods and services. Communications are important, and a logistics system includes whatever communication capability it needs.