SMARTER, SAFER, STRONGER:

HOW AI CAN TRANSFORM THE GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN

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DISCOVER HOW AI IS DELIVERING SPEED, RESILIENCE, & SUSTAINABILITY

A new playbook by DP World and Supply Chain Dive’s studioID, Smarter, Safer, Stronger: How AI Can Transform the Global Supply Chain, explores how AI is transforming forecasting, warehousing, sustainability, and last-mile delivery. This report highlights how companies are using intelligent technologies to manage disruption, optimize operations, and gain a competitive edge – with insights from DP World leaders and real-world innovations from facilities such as DP World’s high-tech logistics center in Perris, California.

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Prefer to listen on the go? In just 12 minutes, this podcast distills the report’s key insights into a quick, actionable listen. Hear how AI is transforming forecasting, warehousing, safety, sustainability, and last-mile delivery.

Learn more about how AI is reshaping supply chains from end to end. Download the full playbook today to explore practical applications and strategies that can future-proof your operations.

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EXPLORE THE ROLE OF AI IN SUPPLY CHAIN TRANSFORMATION

This complete industry playbook offers a deep dive into the strategic opportunities and operational benefits of AI across the supply chain.

Forecasting and Planning: Companies deploying AI report up to a 50% reduction in forecasting errors and a 65% drop in lost sales. Digital twins enable scenario modeling across logistics operations without disrupting workflows.
Warehouse Innovation: At DP World’s Perris, California facility, automation tools — from custom box-making and scan tunnels to collaborative robots — boost throughput while nearly 200 employees oversee tasks requiring human expertise.
Safety and Sustainability: Machine vision and predictive maintenance help reduce risks, while route optimization, packaging innovation, and ESG dashboards support decarbonization and more ethical partner selection.
Smarter Last-Mile Delivery: AI tools adapt to real-time traffic, weather, and customer demand, cutting fuel use, lowering costs, and improving on-time delivery rates.

First of all, it was important to earn the trust of the Mercedes-Benz organization in Germany where the Maybachs are produced. The company had long-standing relationships with several established freight forwarders and was thus unfamiliar with DP World as an airfreight specialist. To reassure the client and build trust, DP World’s team dedicated significant time to detailing processes and providing transparency at every step.

OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES

After all this careful preliminary work, including constant coordination with all parties and arranging all formalities, the actual operational execution involved meticulous arrangements with Mercedes- Benz to ensure that the cars were prepared on time and could be transported to the highest standards. It was decided to load the cars onto closed trucks to optimally protect them during their journey from the factory to the airport. Each vehicle was treated with care, recognizing that any damage or delay would affect the success of the entire project.

ON TIME,
IN PERFECT CONDITION

Once the cars arrived at Liège Airport in Belgium, DP World's chosen hub for this mission, the real test began. The choice of Liège was strategic, as the airport offered lower landing fees, fast handling times and efficient customs processes compared to German airports. The cars were carefully placed and strapped on pallets and then loaded onto the chartered aircraft, safely secured for the flight to Laos.

A first plane departed with 16 cars, and the second followed with the remaining 15. The timely arrival of the Mercedes-Maybach fleet in Laos was met with excitement. All formalities had already been proactively fulfilled by DP World here too. An expert team was on hand to receive the cars and deliver them on time after inspection. The client in Laos had high stakes in this project, as the cars were to be used to transport dignitaries from all over the world during the ASEAN Summit, an important international event hosted in the country. Ensuring that the vehicles arrived on time and in perfect condition was really critical to the client's success.

SEAMLESS COOPERATION KEY TO SUCCESS

Reflecting on the project, the key to its success was above all the seamless cooperation between DP World's airfreight organization, local offices and subcontractors. Even in high-pressure situations that sometimes required quick decisions. Together they showed themselves capable of managing such massive projects. Always with the client's interests at the forefront and alternative plans ready to meet expectations should the situation require it.

The Mercedes-Maybach transportation project is thus a testament to
DP World's ability to operate at the highest level in a highly competitive airfreight market. The project went beyond moving cars; it was about building trust, proving reliability and showcasing excellence. These qualities are already opening doors for future business; following this project, DP World has been named one of Mercedes-Benz’s five nominated freight forwarding partners.

“AI is fundamentally changing the logistics landscape. From harmonizing complex datasets to automating last-mile deliveries, these tools aren’t replacing human decision-makers – they’re empowering them."

- Glen Clark

CEO of DP World in the U.S./Mexico & Regional Head of Contract Logistics