Singapore’s A*STAR and NUS Launch Quantum Optimization Initiative for Port Logistics

Singapore Invests in Quantum-Driven Efficiency for Port Logistics

On January 15, 2016, A*STAR and the National University of Singapore (NUS) formally announced the Quantum Optimization for Logistics and Maritime Ecosystems (QOLME) initiative. Designed to future-proof Singapore’s maritime and port infrastructure, the program marked one of the earliest state-sponsored attempts to harness quantum computing for real-world logistics optimization.

The effort came in response to intensifying pressure on global ports to reduce congestion, improve throughput, and reduce carbon emissions—challenges that traditional algorithms struggled to solve at scale.

Why Quantum, and Why Now?

Maritime logistics presents a classic example of combinatorial optimization, from berth scheduling and crane assignment to routing containers through transshipment networks. These NP-hard problems grow rapidly in complexity and are poorly served by existing linear and heuristic methods, particularly under high-volume conditions like those faced by the Port of Singapore.

Quantum computing, with its potential for massive parallelism and entanglement-based problem modeling, offers a theoretical pathway to tackle these logistical bottlenecks. The QOLME program aimed to validate that potential using quantum annealing and variational algorithms on early-stage quantum devices and simulators.

“Singapore must remain ahead of the curve not just in port size, but in computational intelligence,” said Dr. Lin Mei, Director of A*STAR’s Institute of High Performance Computing. “Quantum optimization may soon determine the difference between a leading hub and a lagging one.”

Core Components of QOLME

The QOLME initiative focused on three core logistics areas:

1. Berth and Yard Optimization
   Using early quantum-inspired algorithms to improve berth allocation based on ship size, turnaround times, and intermodal transfer needs.

2. Container Routing and Stacking
   Applying quantum approximate optimization algorithms (QAOA) to reduce unnecessary rehandling of containers, which consumes time and fuel.

3. Predictive Scheduling Under Uncertainty
   Leveraging quantum-enhanced simulations to model weather disruptions, delays, and cascading schedule failures across the shipping chain.

The project used a combination of quantum simulators developed at NUS and access to D-Wave quantum annealers through a cloud partnership, making QOLME one of the earliest hybrid quantum-classical logistics programs in Asia.

Industry Participation and Government Support

A*STAR coordinated with PSA International, the operator of Singapore’s port terminals, to provide real-world operational data. Maritime logistics firms like YCH Group and regional shipping lines were engaged as use-case advisors.

The initiative also received funding from Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF), which had previously outlined quantum computing as a strategic pillar in its RIE2020 plan—Research, Innovation and Enterprise for national development.

“This is not just about science. It’s about sovereignty, security, and sustainability,” said Dr. Koh Siew Kuan, Quantum Program Lead at NUS. “As shipping lanes grow more contested and climate-driven disruptions increase, logistics resilience is a national imperative.”

Outcomes and Early Benchmarks

While Singapore did not yet possess a full-stack universal quantum computer in 2016, the team reported early-stage results using quantum annealing for berth scheduling simulations. In benchmark scenarios, the quantum models outperformed classical solvers in constrained conditions, with up to 20% improved efficiency in simulated turnarounds.

A key breakthrough was the integration of quantum data structures with classical AI tools, enabling predictive maintenance simulations for quay cranes and straddle carriers—a move that could reduce unplanned downtime by over 15%.

Notably, QOLME also contributed to training a generation of quantum-aware logistics analysts. The program established a talent pipeline between A*STAR and NUS, offering fellowships for interdisciplinary research in quantum computing and supply chain operations.

Global Significance

Singapore’s QOLME project caught international attention, especially among other transshipment hubs such as Rotterdam, Busan, and Shanghai. While quantum computing was still nascent in 2016, Singapore’s decision to make a logistics-specific quantum investment positioned the city-state as a proactive adopter of deep tech in infrastructure planning.

Moreover, the project contributed code modules to the open-source logistics optimization community, including a quantum-enhanced berth allocation library now maintained under the Quantum-SC GitHub repository.

Challenges and Realism

Despite promising prototypes, QOLME’s developers were clear-eyed about quantum technology’s limitations in 2016. No quantum advantage was demonstrated at scale, and most of the program’s gains came through hybrid models. Infrastructure investment, especially for quantum sensors and error correction capabilities, remained years away.

Still, the initiative showcased how targeted funding and real-world framing could make quantum logistics research actionable even before fault-tolerant devices arrived.

The Road Ahead

The QOLME program laid the groundwork for future initiatives, including the eventual formation of the Southeast Asia Quantum Logistics Consortium in 2019. The program’s findings also influenced Singapore’s 2018 Smart Port Masterplan, which embedded quantum-readiness as a planning principle for future automation and AI deployments.

With the Port of Singapore expected to handle over 50 million TEUs annually by 2025, the foresight of quantum planning in 2016 may well prove to be a defining moment in the city-state’s maritime resilience.

Conclusion

Singapore’s QOLME initiative in January 2016 demonstrated a bold and structured approach to integrating quantum computing into global logistics frameworks. While still operating within technical constraints, the program signaled that forward-looking governments and port operators were ready to think post-classical. As quantum technologies mature, such early experiments could yield outsize returns in global supply chain efficiency, reliability, and competitiveness.