New survey finds AI rush isn’t boosting ports earnings
A survey of industry experts finds that even as container ports deploy artificial intelligence, few are seeing measurable financial returns. The post New survey finds AI rush isn’t boosting ports earnings appeared first on FreightWaves .
A recent survey of 103 industry experts by Boston Consulting Group found that artificial intelligence in container ports and terminals is expanding beyond trial stages, but tangible financial gains remain elusive. Of the respondents, only 4% reported measurable earnings growth, while 11% systematically tracked AI's impact on efficiency or margins.
The survey, conducted in August 2026, covered experts from five continents, including terminal operators, port authorities, container shipping lines, and port vendors. Key findings indicate a measurement gap in documenting AI's financial benefits, with only 18% of respondents reporting improvements in customer experience. Uncertainty over return on investment emerged as the primary barrier to wider AI adoption, cited by 41% of respondents.
Data quality and system integration challenges also posed significant hurdles. Despite these obstacles, some 59% of respondents planned to hire or train AI specialists, 55% allocated funding to research and development, and 47% aimed to add AI modules to existing systems.
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