There are (at least) two parallel processes in logistics – the physical handling of the goods and the movement of information relating to those goods.Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain are rapidly changing the nature of logistics supply chains.By digitising a largely paper-based process, making the data shareable and trustworthy, and adding intelligence and automation to execute transactions, AI and blockchain are transforming supply chains across industries and creating new opportunities, according to Jerry Cuomo of IBM.Researcher Ankit Gupta predicts that blockchain in the supply-chain market will grow from $1.455 billion in 2024 to $20.5bn by 2032, which is a compound annual growth rate of 39% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). His report, published by Market Research Future, found that traditional supply chain management systems were frequently plagued by transparency and traceability difficulties, such as counterfeiting, fraud, and a lack of visibility. Blockchain provides a tamper-proof and unchangeable real-time visibility and record of all supply chain transactions, from the point of origin to the point of consumption.AI complements blockchain by providing a mechanism for planning and managing the movement of goods through automated processes.Lara Albertina Rebello, Maersk chief content editor, writes: “Robust, AI-powered, cloud-based logistics solutions are at the core of the supply chains of the future – helping businesses to consolidate loads, automate dispatch and tracking, optimise routes, determine when and where to charge batteries, calculate ETAs, monitor vehicle maintenance, and more. “Data modelling and simulations can test routes and f leet capacities, and integrated technologies can help incorporate and analyse supply chain and delivery data across the entire value chain.” AI is also helping shippers and cargo owners to plan for supply chain disruptions through predictive analytics, which analyses traffic patterns, weather conditions and other variables to optimise shipping routes and schedules.
