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parts of Africa.“ You can’ t have real-time AI insights without real-time data, and you can’ t get that data if your warehouse doesn’ t have a reliable GSM signal.”
Steel-heavy buildings block mobile reception. Remote regions suffer from unstable power and limited connectivity. Even inside modern cold rooms, standard mobile devices may not function reliably. For AI to be integrated into logistics operations – whether in route optimisation, cargo condition monitoring or automated compliance – it must be underpinned by reliable power, connectivity and sensor networks.
In a humorous but sharp critique of modern communication habits, Rüsch noted the degradation of clarity in emails and internal communications.“ The Egyptians carved hieroglyphs with hammers – so they thought carefully before writing. Now we send half-baked emails without stating who should do what, when or why.”
He proposed that AI may ironically bring a return to structured documentation. With AI drafting formal SOPs, task lists and communication frameworks, there’ s hope that operational clarity – long missing in logistics – can be restored.“ Cold chain logistics demand precision. Clarity saves time, money and ultimately, the cargo,” he reminded. Cold chain logistics aren’ t about moving steel coils or copper. They’ re about preserving perishable food and life-saving pharmaceuticals, both of which are highly sensitive to time, temperature and contamination. Any disruption in this chain isn’ t just financial – it can have human health consequences.“ We’ re dealing with high-stakes, SPS-regulated goods. AI and automation can help manage that risk. But trust is everything. And trust requires transparency, collaboration and competent human oversight.”
Rüsch called on stakeholders across the supply chain – from cold storage operators and freight companies to regulators and IT service providers – to collaborate, not compete.“ Agriculture, logistics, technology must work together. If the farmer fails, you fail. If the cargo is rejected, everyone loses. AI is a tool, not a threat – if we implement it wisely.”
COLD CHAIN MISTAKES HAVE REAL COSTS
Rüsch raised a stark example: handling Foot-and-Mouth Disease( FMD) vaccine shipments, where a simple deviation can lead to total cargo loss: not just of product, but of entire multi-phase vaccination programmes.“ It’ s not just that the vaccine is expensive, but the production cycle is long, and if one shipment fails, the entire disease control programme can fall apart.”
Despite strict regulatory guidelines, Rüsch noted frequent breakdowns in basic compliance such as cargo agents moving temperature-sensitive goods off airport premises at OR Tambo International Airport, even when permits explicitly forbid it.“ Why is cargo accepted without permits or certificates? Why is it moved off-site, then we’ re surprised when quarantine officials won’ t inspect it 30km away?”
He emphasised the systemic nature of the issue – not just client negligence, but flawed
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internal processes, poor communication and lack of real-time visibility.
AI CAN SUPPORT KEY LOGISTICS FUNCTIONS IN ALL STAGES OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN
1. Pre-shipment planning
• Generate Standard Operating Procedures( SOPs)
• Automate route planning and risk assessment
• Identify compliance requirements( permits, certifications)
• Predict hazards based on historical data
2. In-transit monitoring
• Continuous temperature monitoring
• Geolocation tracking with alerts for unauthorised movement
• Alert systems for deviation from temperature bands( for example, 2 – 8 ° C)
• Fallback routing in case of delays or carrier failure
However, Rüsch emphasised that for alerts to be meaningful, parameters must be welldefined, not by AI, but by humans:“ AI won’ t know when to alert you unless you tell it. What’ s acceptable? 4 – 6 ° C might be fine, but go over 8 ° C and that’ s a crisis. You need to set the thresholds.”
3. Post-shipment analysis
• Compile data for insurance claims
• Document incident reports
• Analyse failures to improve future shipments
• Enhance client reporting and transparency
INFRASTRUCTURE IS STILL THE BOTTLENECK
For AI to work reliably, it needs stable infrastructure:
• Connectivity: steel-clad warehouses block mobile signals; rural areas lack broadband
• Power: real-time sensors and servers require uninterrupted electricity
• Computing power: AI doesn’ t run on Excel; real value comes from cloudbased engines and dedicated servers
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“ You’ re not going to run true AI off your office laptop. AI needs back-end power. And if you don’ t have electricity or data in the region, AI won’ t work,” Rüsch noted. In essence, infrastructure must evolve alongside AI to make any meaningful impact in Africa’ s logistics environment.
While AI can automate, calculate and predict, it cannot replace human oversight:
• Regulatory compliance: AI might remind you to upload certificates, but it won’ t get them issued.
• Crisis response: AI can alert you when temperature goes above 10 ° C but it won’ t fix the refrigeration unit.
• Ethical decisions: AI can’ t assess biohazard exposure or ensure worker safety – only humans can.
• Trust building: Logistics is still a relationship-based business; AI can send updates, but stakeholder trust comes from real conversations.
“ AI handles data. Humans handle exceptions. That’ s not going to change anytime soon.”
ENABLING TRADE FINANCE THROUGH VISIBILITY
One underexplored benefit of AI in cold chain is its ability to enhance trade finance eligibility. As Rüsch explained, many African exporters struggle to access credit due to lack of visibility and control over goods in transit. Financiers, bound by Basel IV requirements, must be able to verify possession and control over highvalue cargo.
“ The finance provider wants to know: if I lend money, can I trust this chain to deliver, or recover value if it fails?” AIsupported monitoring, document control and data-backed tracking can provide this assurance, transforming logistics providers into trusted agents of the financier. This includes managing:
• Airway bills and house airway bills
• Bills of lading
• Insurance and guarantee documentation
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As logistics become more capital-intensive and cargo value increases, AI-enabled visibility could be the key to unlocking finance, Rüsch suggested. What AI can do:
• Generate SOPs
• Monitor in-transit conditions
• Alert deviations from set parameters
• Compile post-shipment reports
• Enhance predictive logistics
What AI cannot do( yet):
• Enforce compliance
• Replace stakeholder trust
• Manage real-world exceptions
• Make ethical or strategic decisions
Rüsch’ s advice? Use AI alongside experienced human oversight and invest in infrastructure to support it. Equip your teams not just with tools, but with skills to interrogate AI output because smart systems are only as good as the people using them.
As African cold chain logistics adapts to tighter regulations, rising costs and increased scrutiny, the need for intelligent systems, reliable infrastructure and capable human oversight has never been clearer.“ We need real-time data, but we also need people who know what to do with that data. That’ s where the opportunity lies.”
From vaccine shipments to fresh produce exports, the cold chain is a mission-critical sector. And as AI takes on a larger role, HVAC & R professionals, logistics managers and exporters must stay ahead – not just by adopting AI, but by mastering it. CLA
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR:
Do you have an AI deployment story in your cold chain operation? We ' d love to hear how it ' s working( or not). Reach out to Cold Link Africa for a chance to be featured.
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