AI is needed in logistics – but it can be a multiplier or a liability

A recent report from Bremen-based Deep Current highlights that despite significant digital investments, global freight forwarding remains tethered to manual operating models. While logistics firms have deployed various dashboards and AI pilots, the integration gap persists across major hubs like Port of Singapore and Rotterdam. This reliance on legacy processes creates inefficiencies in supply chain visibility, forcing maritime professionals to bridge the divide between automated operational systems and the traditional, manual documentation still prevalent in daily vessel operations.

The push for AI integration must align with the IMO’s Maritime Cyber Risk Management requirements under Resolution MSC.428(98). Compliance departments must ensure that automated logistics tools do not compromise the safety management systems mandated by the ISM Code. Furthermore, as logistics platforms interface with onboard systems, they must adhere to SOLAS Chapter V regulations regarding navigational safety and data integrity. Failure to properly vet these AI-driven tools could lead to non-compliance during Port State Control inspections, potentially resulting in vessel detentions or severe operational disruptions.

Navigating officers must adapt to these shifting digital landscapes as AI-driven logistics tools become standard in port operations. These professionals need to prioritize data accuracy when interfacing with automated reporting systems to prevent discrepancies that trigger regulatory scrutiny. By mastering the digital inputs required for modern freight management, navigating officers can mitigate the risks of operational liabilities, ensuring that automated systems act as a force multiplier rather than a hindrance to safe and efficient vessel transit.