Maersk Seeks to Automate Up to 80% of Logistics Tasks

The goal of a truly autonomous supply chain is moving closer to reality at international shipping giant Maersk.

In a recent interview with Danish newspaper Børsen, Maersk CTO Navneet Kapoor said the goal is to create a supply chain of “zero touch logistics.”

”It’s not just hopeful thinking. We believe it’s possible to digitize almost the entire supply chain. It takes time, but we are working on an AI engine. When it becomes fully functional, it will be possible to integrate data automatically, and that’s where the magic happens,” he said.

Kapoor estimated that Maersk is using artificial intelligence for as much as 20% of its logistics tasks with hopes that it reaches between 70% and 80% within seven years.

The comments were translated into English by Shipping Watch.

Maersk’s ambitions have been well-known, and company leaders have discussed the important role AI can play in logistics moving forward.

In May, Silvia La Face, digital customer communications manager, wrote an opinion blog on Maersk’s public-facing blog page highlighting ways AI will power integrated logistics moving forward.

“The growing number of AI-based innovations and the increasing cost of manual labor are making the use of AI in logistics more and more attractive, fueling the optimization of integrated logistics,” she wrote.“In the context of supply chain management, this transformation (also referred to as platform change) could transform the way we plan, execute, and optimize the movement of goods from one location to another.”

La Face highlight several areas where AI and machine learning can benefit logistics, including:

Real-time insights into their supply chain operations.

• Accurate forecasting of demand patterns.
• Optimized inventory levels.
• Reduced transportation costs.
• Improved customer service.
• High-level strategy analysis and optimized financial reporting.
• Better security and risk management.