AI in Customs and Logistics: From Disparate Data to Smart, Shared Supply Chain Decisions

Mobility, Transportation, and Logistics at the 2026 Dutch AI Congress

Field of Work: Transportation, Mobility, and Logistics

In customs and logistics, AI is rapidly evolving from a useful tool to a co-decision-maker: from automated declarations and risk screening to the automatic release or detention of shipments. In countries like Singapore and Lithuania, we are already seeing AI-driven terminals and smart customs, while the Netherlands is grappling with a “disadvantageous lead”: strong infrastructure, but difficult data sharing and limited AI experience, especially among SMEs. In this session, Dutch Customs, TLN/FENEX, and Erasmus University Rotterdam will demonstrate how the routine work of freight forwarders and customs declarants is being automated, and how value is shifting toward supply chain management, exception handling, customer advisory services, and governance. The central question: who will truly be in control in the future—people, organizations, or algorithms?

Speakers:
Dirk Baaijen
Lead, Transport, Mobility, and Logistics – AIC4NL
Jochem Sprenger
Secretary, Fenex – Transport and Logistics Netherlands
Norbert N.W.M. Kouwenhoven
Strategy Advisor – Customs
Albert Veenstra
Professor of Trade and Logistics – RSM Erasmus University

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