US transportation activity growth will be steady in 2026 and 2027, but slower than the post-pandemic recovery years, except for US port operators, which are expected to see volumes decline in 2026, according to S&P Global Ratings.

The rating agency believes US gross domestic product (GDP) growth, projected at 2 per cent for 2026 and 1.9 per cent for 2027, will provide a solid foundation for steady activity across most domestic transportation infrastructure asset classes, including maritime container volumes, tolled transactions, and mass transit ridership.

US transportation activity growth will be steady in 2026 and 2027, but slower than the post-pandemic recovery years, except for US port operators, which are expected to see volumes decline in 2026, according to S&P Global Ratings.
Port container volumes are likely to decline slightly in 2025 and 2026, based on data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, before resuming a growth trend in 2027.

Mass transit ridership remains below pre-pandemic levels with a full recovery unlikely in the next two-to-three years, it noted.

It estimates average growth rates in 2026 and 2027 at 4.5 per cent for transit ridership, 2.4 per cent for port container traffic and 3 per cent for tolled transactions.

For its 2026 activity estimates, it assumes that toll roads will continue to attract and benefit from passenger and commercial vehicle growth trends.

Port container volumes, measured by twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), are likely to decline slightly in 2025 and 2026, based on data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, before resuming a growth trend in 2027.

US import duties are in place for the foreseeable future, but a series of lightweight trade deals based on tariff concessions in return for purchase and investment commitments will provide an offset.

Although port volumes generally move in line with the broader U.S. economy, tariffs on foreign goods are dampening demand. S&P Global Ratings’ economists forecast slower, but still positive, consumer spending growth over the near term. It expects this will lead to spillover in the form of reduced throughput at US container ports.

Ports could be stressed on both sides, as US consumers reduce demand for imports and as other countries implement retaliatory trade policies in response to higher US tariffs.

However, if the administration’s tariff policies are overturned by the US Supreme Court, another period of front-running ahead of changing trade policy and an associated uptick in port container volumes could be witnessed.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

If anyone thought the JW Anderson label would take something of back seat after Jonathan Anderson landed the creative chief’s role at Dior, they couldn’t have been more wrong. And the latest development at the weekend showed JWA is still very much front of mind for Anderson.

The company opened a Pimlico Road store, in a part of London known for its antique stores, design boutiques and homewares specialists. It said the new store “naturally aligns with the brand’s growing Home and Garden collection”.

Each of the label’s locations “absorbs and reflects its surroundings” and for this one, “within an environment of timeless design, Home and Garden sits at the heart of the store, accompanied by a selection of Ready to Wear, Shoes and Accessories”. 

There’s also an emphasis on art. The inaugural art installation presents six sculptural sconces by British artist Kira Freije. Drawing from welding, glassblowing and other craft processes. The works will be available exclusively in-store until February. Meanwhile ready-to-Wear from the latest collection “including pieces rooted in local craftsmanship, are shown alongside collaborative objects by international artisans”.

We’re told that “curating is an utterly personal passion, which Jonathan Anderson now channels into a re-articulated JW Anderson”.

As with the brand’s Soho and Milan flagships, the store concept has been developed by architects Sanchez Benton. Spanning two floors, its layout is “shaped by velvet panelling that creates intimate, distinct rooms”. And as well as the main retail area, the lower ground floor houses a dedicated Press and VIP Salon, “offering a private environment”.

The opening comes hot on the heels of the brand’s Miami pop-up that opened during the city’s Art Week in partnership with luxury retailer The Webster, running until 15 December.