The use of the ant colony algorithm to improve operational efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of transportation operations is effective. However, there is a lack of integrative studies that explore how this algorithm has evolved and been applied in specific scenarios such as vehicle delivery. With this in mind, the aim of this article was to investigate the application of the ant colony algorithm (ACO) for transport optimization in scientific publications. The research method adopted was bibliometric analysis, based on a systematic search of the Scopus database, covering articles published between 2016 and 2023. The procedures for collecting and analyzing publications were conducted using predefined criteria, and keyword co-occurrence and co-citation networks were generated with the support of VOS viewer software. The study highlights the potential of ACO in various areas of transport, from route optimization to coordinating the distribution of benefits among carriers, and its integration with intelligent transport systems. Five thematic clusters were identified, pointing to emerging trends such as hybrid algorithms and sustainability strategies. The results reinforce the need for future research and practical implementations especially in underexplored scenarios like vehicle transport by stork trailers in Brazil, aiming at both operational efficiency and environmental gains.