By Maria Kalamatas | July 29, 2025
Copenhagen, July 29 — On a busy morning at Maersk’s Copenhagen offices, a new digital dashboard lights up with data from vessels bound for Europe and North America. Each green checkmark means a shipment is cleared before it even hits port. For a company facing unpredictable border checks, those green lights now matter more than ever.
“Customs rules are shifting so fast that one missed update can freeze an entire container load,” explained Lars Jensen, who leads trade and customs operations at Maersk. “The only way to stay ahead is to catch problems before the ship docks. That’s what this platform does.”
Pressure mounting on Asia–Europe routes
Over the past year, ports along major Asia-linked corridors have turned into choke points. Customs teams are demanding new layers of verification on certificates of origin and tariff codes. Some shipments, forwarders say, sit in storage yards for four or five days while paperwork gets sorted — a delay that quickly drives up costs.
Maersk’s AI platform acts as a filter, scanning HS codes, routing details, and supporting documents before a ship arrives. If something’s wrong, the fix happens while the vessel is still at sea.
Forwarders notice a difference
Freight operators testing the system in the Middle East and Europe say clearance windows have shortened by close to 15 percent. More importantly, the last-minute scrambles to correct documentation — a daily headache for many importers — are becoming far less common.
“Even shaving off a day makes a difference when retailers are waiting,” Jensen said.
Not just another IT add-on
Unlike many compliance tools that run separately, Maersk’s AI ties directly into booking platforms and enterprise systems. It pulls live cargo data and can flag when a destination port looks likely to face congestion or stepped-up inspections, offering alternative routes before delays occur.
Changing how logistics handles borders
Analysts say this marks a shift in how global carriers approach customs — from reacting to problems after they arise to preventing them altogether. Rival shipping lines are already looking at similar systems as regulators increase scrutiny worldwide.
“Customs isn’t background noise anymore,” Jensen added. “It’s where supply chains succeed or fail, and automation gives us a fighting chance to stay ahead.”
