The maritime industry is at an historic crossroad — and the direction that companies take can determine whether their future is filled with success or failure. Consider this — maritime accounts for 96 percent of all transportation — driving much of the momentum of the world economy. Meeting these global needs has meant that modern maritime has embraced such advances as containerization and intermodalism. Now however, the industry is poised to accept the most dramatic change yet — digital networking and electronic commerce. While this new e-business (electronic business) model represents perhaps the greatest challenge yet faced by the industry, it also offers dramatic opportunities.