Who's wearing rose-colored glasses about AI in Logistics?

Kevin Speers
Aug 13
4 min read

Keeping You on Top of Logistics and Log Tech - The Splice Newsletter August 13, 2025

Happy last weeks of summer! If your beach read has been on AI, then you'll particularly enjoy this edition of Splice Insights.

Highlights of what's below:

We get AI dirty, splashing some mud on the rose-colored glasses looking AI's impact on logistics in an upcoming series of articles. Yes, an armada of AI ships are set to sail (and some are at sea), but the mass of logistics data needed is a heavy anchor that needs raising.

Exporters continue to see challenges managing export receiving dates, and no wonder as 1 in 3 ships are late per Sea Intelligence. We address the systemic issues that go beyond tardy vessels and share a few key reads to keep you on top of resin exports.

Open container yards are common in drayage. They make sense for fluidity but pose a data management conundrum. Yard operators now can call this a false tradeoff. Read why.
Where in the world is Splice? At a few industry events in the very near future that will be fun and informative. Deets below.

How and When will AI change Logistics?

AI in logistics need data integration and translation

AI will remake data flows in supply chain and logistics, but how, when and to what degree? Adoption won't be easy: it will be hampered by siloed and disparate data. So what's needed to make AI in logistics as effective as the claims? What are the layers to this complex challenge (because ChatGPT won't solve it alone)? Splice takes on these issues in an upcoming series of articles. Stay tuned and sign up for more Splice Insights.

AI in Logistics Starts with the Data

AI doesn’t just need access to data — it needs the right structure, timing, and context. The platforms that logistics companies use are typically not ready for AI and need tools to support the prerequisites of AI agents. This is not an insurmountable challenge -- it does, however, require planning to determine the data to enrich for AI compatibility. Garbage in, garbage out still applies. Are your systems prepared to take advantage of AI? We offer a checklist to determine the capabilities to consider, such as API availability and workflow tools that will accelerate your AI readiness. Read the rest here.

Export Receiving Dates – The Untold Challenge

In June, Splice presented its perspective on export receiving dates and the

systemic challenges they pose at the Agriculture Transportation Coalition in Tacoma. We’ve published a summary to share our analysis. Four reasons stand out: Entrenched legacy processes. Slow tech adoption. No industry standardization effort. IT system complexity. Despite these hurdles, progress is being made through partnerships, analytics, accessibility and a unique approach to rail receiving (and an associated POC).

The AI Tsunami in Supply Chain and Logistics

On September 3rd, Splice CEO Kevin Speers will moderate a panel titled AI Tsunami in Supply Chain at the Virginia Maritime Association breakfast briefing in Norfolk, Virginia. It is an impressive group of experts on the panel. Leaders in drayage, software and innovation will share their views.

Who you may ask? Click here to find out and consider joining the event if you're nearby.

The Tradeoff in Open Yard Management

An open or ungated container yard is a key link in container drayage operations, providing a temporary holding area for containers as they move between ports, warehouses, and inland destinations.By acting as buffer zones, open container yards help smooth out timing mismatches between vessel schedules, warehouse availability, and truck capacity. Open yards minimize personnel needs but inventory visibility is low or slow. That no longer needs to be that case -- digitizing the process while maintaining open yard benefits are inexpensive and easily deployed with Yard Spot. It is negating the past tradeoff between efficient flexibility of open yards and data gaps. Read the whole analysis.

Resin and Petrochemicals - Keeping an Eye on Exports

Splice Exports tracks export receiving dates at marine terminals and rail ramps the U.S., Canada -- and increasingly other countries. It compels us to keep an eye on export trends, and here are a few articles that go beyond the daily news and spotlight bigger issues. They are worth a read.

"‘Just look at what happened last time’: US exporters fear Trump trade war fallout" - Politico

U.S. chemicals and plastics businesses are increasingly anxious as the U.S. faces mounting tariff threats from the EU, Brazil, and more than two dozen countries.

The European Union has already proposed up to $88 billion in retaliatory tariffs, potentially impacting key U.S. export sectors such as chemicals and plastics. Trade associations like the American Chemistry Council are urging policymakers to avert escalation, warning that enduring tariff pressure could severely hamper U.S. chemical exports.

“INSIGHT: Tariffs put US chemical exports at risk, but optimism on trade deals emerges on eve of implementation” - ICIS The article is notable for its market analysis and time-series data to explain the implication of tariffs on U.S. operations since the U.S. has a chemical trade surplus of over $30 billion, according to the American Chemistry Council.

"Trump tariffs poised to exacerbate woes of ailing petchems sector" - Reuters

This is a high-level look at how tariffs and expected retaliation could suppress downstream demand (packaging, appliances) and disrupt trade flows, worsening margins across global petrochemicals.