Mariner Logistics, a Coppell, Texas-based fourth-party logistics (4PL) provider, has announced a partnership with Vibe Software and the launch of Mariner Vibe AI, a new technology layer designed to enhance existing logistics systems with modern automation and intelligence. The platform connects directly to a shipper's Transportation Management System (TMS) or ERP, adding advanced capabilities without requiring a full system replacement.
According to Ken Apple, Chief Technology Officer at Mariner, "Mariner Vibe AI delivers the features logistics professionals have long wanted from their TMS or ERP. Mariner Vibe streamlines complex logistics workflows, automates tedious tasks, and provides real-time insights that empower smarter, faster decisions." The platform simplifies logistics operations, automates routine tasks, and gives teams real-time visibility across their network.
Instead of juggling spreadsheets or broker phone calls, shippers get an intelligent assistant that automates freight procurement, finds optimal carriers, and coordinates shipments in real time. The platform's Automated Spot Procurement AI taps into load boards, carrier systems, GPS data, and historical patterns to match each shipment with the best carriers and rates automatically. It runs rapid-fire bidding events for spot loads, handling quotes and carrier selection in minutes.
"Think of AI procurement as a turbocharged digital freight broker working 24/7 within a shipper's network," continued Apple. "The shipper sets the rules and preferences, and Mariner Vibe AI does the heavy lifting: requesting bids, optimizing carrier choices, and even finalizing awards, with oversight. The result is faster coverage for freight, better rates, and far less work for the current team."
Mariner Vibe AI gives shippers the tools to manage spot freight in-house with confidence. The shipper maintains carrier optionality – the AI can engage preferred carriers or new alternatives. This provides the flexibility of the spot market combined with the control of an internal process.
"The carrier optionality provides less reliance on third-party brokers (along with their margins) while still accessing a broad carrier pool," said Apple. "Mariner Vibe helps prevent potential bad actors, cost creep and service failures that plague one-off spot buys. Shippers save money, shipments move on time, and everyone from the CFO to the operations team breathes easier."
Mariner is one of the only asset-based 4PL providers in North America, and this partnership aims to bring AI-driven efficiencies to supply chain execution. The announcement was originally published on citybiz.
