Multi-agent artificial intelligence for sustainable maritime logistics

• Shipping is plagued by an array of negative externalities that hinder sustainable operations • Need for novel technologies that will allow the industry to attain a higher level of harmonization • This research develops a rudimentary framework blending multi-agent artificial intelligence with advanced game-theoretic models • The framework optimizes, integrates, and complements cooperation across complex maritime transport and port operations • The findings may foster a sustainable digital revolution in maritime logistics. Shipping is a cornerstone of the global economy, facilitating the mobility of the majority of the world’s commodities and raw materials. As a vital pillar for national economies, it underpins global prosperity and systemic stability. However, the industry faces significant negative externalities and operational inefficiencies that impede its transition toward sustainable operations. Consequently, there is an urgent need for integrated technologies to harmonize the maritime sector and its broader socio-economic spillovers. This research proposes a framework blending multi-agent artificial intelligence (AI) with advanced game-theoretic models to optimize and synchronize cooperation across complex maritime transport and port operations. By utilizing iterative algorithmic processes, distinct AI agents reconcile conflicting incentives such as freight handling, berth allocation, and fuel efficiency, to negotiate dynamically aligned solutions that meet overall corporate objectives. Through modelling real-world maritime conditions, this study demonstrates the efficiency, resilience, and sustainability of a cooperative AI ecosystem compared to traditional centralized or siloed paradigms. These findings provide robust theoretical and practical evidence for how game-theoretic multi-agent AI systems can drive a sustainable digital revolution in maritime logistics.