How AI can influence efficiency of port operation specifically ship arrival process: developing a cost–benefit framework

AI technologies' adoption is increasing in most industries, but their capabilities differ. With the utilization of AI, there is a potential to boost the maritime industry through higher commercial speed and better quality of services. Therefore, AI would be an opportunity to enhance efficiency in diverse aspects of port stakeholders' operations. To evaluate whether AI technologies and their benefits emerge, the consciousness of the costs and benefits of these innovations is essential. There is no cohesive framework concerning AI technologies' cost and benefit thus far. Therefore, this research fills in this gap in the existing literature. An exhaustive literature review is carried out, and a comprehensive framework is developed to identify the costs and benefits of AI technologies used in port operations. To validate this framework, a case study associated with ships' arrival process is investigated. The case study demonstrates that even while a micro-level challenge is tackled through AI, other stakeholders who interact with the challenge owner also can enhance their operation. Moreover, the proof of benefits gained by initial challenge owners can stimulate similar companies to leverage the exact solution for overcoming their challenges.