How algorithms shape global trade
The greater the instability in global trade, the more important precision in the port becomes. Logistics researcher Carlos Jahn on the possibilities and limitations of AI.
Interview: Johannes Göbel,
28.04.2026 
Professor Jahn, you specialise in maritime logistics. What challenges does the unstable global situation pose for these supply chains?
The timing of maritime supply chains has become increasingly tight in recent years. Disruptions such as Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz carry significant weight: even if they don’t immediately result in shortages, they cause rerouting and additional costs. At the Fraunhofer Centre for Maritime Logistics and Services in Hamburg, we focus on research into efficiency, safety and sustainability in maritime logistics in order to optimise the transport of goods by ship.
What solutions is your research centre working on with regard to the Port of Hamburg?
For one thing, we’re working on increasing automation, not least through the use of artificial intelligence. The aim is to predict as accurately as possible which areas will be needed and when – for arriving ships as well as for lorries transporting goods onwards. Using automation and AI we can optimise the interconnection of the different stages of the supply chain. For example, we’ve developed a camera system that quickly identifies defective containers and helps eliminate these weak points in the system. Other technical solutions involve the use of robots in work areas that may be dangerous for people, or the optimised deployment of personnel. Our “PortConnect” project enables AI-supported planning of dock workers’ shifts, for example, including flexible shift swapping via an app.
How important does the “human factor” remain in light of these innovations?
It’s remarkable what AI can achieve thanks to large volumes of data, but not everything can be solved with algorithms. Cooperation in a port requires numerous economic, political and social decisions. Humans are better able to assess the consequences for individual areas and their significance for the port system as a whole. What is more, human judgement helps in responding to exceptional situations, where AI can quickly reach its limits due to a lack of data.
