Impacts of AI in Maritime Logistics

Abstract

This thesis examines the use and impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in maritime container logistics. The aim of the study is to analyse how AI is currently used in the industry and to explore its impacts. To achieve this aim, three research questions ere posed to examine how AI is being used, why AI is being used, and the impacts of AI. The study is limited to deployed AI applications. A qualitative research method was used, with primary data collected through three semi-structured interviews with professionals working in different areas of the maritime industry. The theoretical framework is based on recent literature done on AI applications in predictive maintenance, port operations, and ship operations. The findings show that AI is primarily used for operational optimisation, predictive maintenance, emissions monitoring, document handling, and financial auditing. Companies integrated AI applications primarily to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve operational reliability. The results indicate that the deployed AI applications have had significant positive impacts, financial benefits, improved communication with stakeholders, improved transparency during disruptions and identifying tariff overpayments. It is concluded that while AI is not deployed consistently across the logistics chain and ship owners still have a “wait and see” approach, the deployed applications have provided significant operational and financial benefits.