Inside Descartes' AI-Driven Intelligent Logistics Push

The modern logistics landscape demands more than simple location tracking: it requires intelligent systems that can predict problems and execute solutions autonomously.

As supply chains grow increasingly complex, organisations are turning to AI-powered automation to compress decision-making cycles and maintain operational resilience in the face of constant disruption.

AI-driven decision intelligence

A new integration between Descartes MacroPoint and InterSystems Track and Trace Cloud Service demonstrates how real-time shipment visibility can connect directly with AI-enabled decision intelligence.

The connection enables continuous in-transit visibility and risk monitoring within the InterSystems Supply Chain Orchestrator data platform, creating a unified view of shipments alongside the intelligence needed to anticipate disruptions.

By combining the Descartes Global Logistics Network with InterSystems' advanced analytics, supply chain teams gain capabilities that extend beyond traditional tracking.

The integration addresses what could be termed the "tracking lag" bottleneck – where conventional visibility tools show where a shipment is located, but not what action to take when movement stops.

Through AI-enabled decision intelligence, logistics teams can model disruption scenarios such as port congestion or labour strikes in real time, ensuring that decision-to-action cycles are significantly compressed.

Enhanced visibility across transportation modes

The integration allows users to monitor shipments across air, parcel, Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled freight, rail and truckload/less-than-truckload (TL/LTL) modes while leveraging predictive analytics to prepare for potential delays.

The solution uses API-enabled connectivity and prebuilt data integrations to simplify onboarding and improve productivity.

Descartes MacroPoint provides real-time shipment location and status updates through the Descartes Global Logistics Network, connecting carriers, shippers and logistics partners across modes.

These updates flow into InterSystems Track and Trace Cloud Service, where they are unified within the InterSystems Supply Chain Orchestrator data platform.

Decision-intelligence tools then use live visibility data to predict potential disruptions, highlight emerging risks and recommend proactive next steps.

Rather than logistics coordinators spending hours calling carriers to reroute freight, the system could suggest or execute alternative paths, ensuring continuous flow.

The platform continuously monitors in-transit conditions and applies advanced analytics to help plan for issues like congestion, dwell time or labour constraints – all through built-in, API-enabled integrations.

November import volumes signal cautious outlook

Recent data from Descartes Systems Group's December Global Shipping Report provides context for current market conditions.

In November 2025, US container import volumes were 2,183,048 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), down 5.4% from October and in line with a typical seasonal drop related to November's shorter month and US Thanksgiving-related slowdowns.

According to Descartes Datamyne, imports from China were a major driver of the overall volume pullback, posting a sharp 11.3% month-over-month decline.

November 2025 still ranks as the fourth-strongest November on record, trailing only 2020, 2021 and 2024—underscoring the underlying resilience of US import demand despite policy and economic uncertainty.

Compared to November 2024, November 2025 US container imports from the top 10 countries of origin fell 9.3%, with a combined loss of 156,831 TEUs.

China dropped 174,650 TEUs (19.7%), accounting for the majority of the overall contraction.

However, several Southeast Asian countries posted strong year-over-year growth, with Vietnam increasing 15.4%, Thailand surging 27.2% and Indonesia rising 18.0%.

"Beyond seasonal factors, November's decline in US container import volumes may also reflect ongoing importer caution amid a dynamic tariff backdrop," says Jackson Wood, Director of Industry Strategy at Descartes, in the December Global Shipping Report.

"While agreements between the US and China have eased short-term pressure, longer-term uncertainty in the trade relationship persists.

"The legal challenge to IEEPA tariffs, ongoing geopolitical volatility and continued carrier caution in the Red Sea corridor are additional factors contributing to a cautious outlook for US importers as the year draws to a close."

These developments suggest that streamlining supply chain operations is evolving beyond human oversight of software towards AI-driven orchestration.

By unifying visibility and decision-intelligence layers, companies could eliminate friction between ordering and delivery, creating what might be characterised as a resilient, self-healing supply chain capable of operating at the speed of modern commerce.

An evening with GEP

This topic will form part of GEP’s London Executive Dinner, focusing on how AI supports faster and more resilient supply chain ecosystems.

Event: GEP Executive Procurement Dinner
Theme: Unsticking Procurement - AI Strategies for Impactful Teams
Date: Tuesday 3 March 2026
Time: 7-9pm
Location: Kimpton Fitzroy, London

Register your interest to join industry leaders at Kimpton Fitzroy London on 3 March 2026.

Attendance is strictly limited to CPOs, Heads of Procurement and senior decision-makers who meet the event criteria. Seats are limited.