Port of Rotterdam Trials Quantum-Inspired Simulation Platform to Streamline Container Flows
July 21, 2016
Rotterdam’s Quantum Leap in Port Logistics
The Port of Rotterdam—the largest seaport in Europe and a critical logistics gateway for the EU—announced on July 21, 2016, that it had begun trialing a quantum-inspired logistics platform to address complex optimization challenges in container traffic.
The initiative, coordinated by the Port of Rotterdam Authority and local firm ORTEC, aimed to test how quantum-derived models could outperform conventional algorithms in scheduling, container placement, and rail-barge-truck coordination.
The research effort was supported by the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) and academic experts from TU Delft, positioning the port at the cutting edge of logistics innovation.
Complex Systems Require Quantum-Era Tools
As global shipping volumes continued to rise in 2016, Rotterdam faced growing pressure to improve:
Berth assignment accuracy amid vessel delays
Crane allocation efficiency to reduce dwell times
Synchromodal coordination with hinterland logistics (rail and barge)
Traditional simulation models struggled with the sheer number of variables involved. For instance, a single terminal’s daily operations could involve:
40+ ship calls
2000+ container moves
100+ train and barge connections
Each decision in berth scheduling or container stacking cascaded through the system, making global optimization prohibitively expensive in classical computing terms.
By leveraging quantum-inspired metaheuristics—notably derived from simulated annealing and QUBO (Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization) models—the Rotterdam team hoped to simulate better global outcomes in shorter time windows.
Pilot Structure and Scope
The July pilot involved two terminals in the Maasvlakte 2 expansion zone, covering:
Dynamic crane assignment algorithms using hybrid QUBO solvers
Probabilistic berth scheduling that accounted for weather and ETA variability
Container re-routing suggestions across train-barge-truck modes based on cost and emissions
The simulations were conducted on classical hardware using quantum-inspired algorithms optimized through ORTEC’s HPC platform, which had been adapted to mimic the behavior of quantum annealers.
Key Outcomes and Efficiency Gains
Preliminary results showed impressive improvements:
12% reduction in average container dwell time per TEU
9% better berth slot utilization, minimizing idle quay space
Up to 15% improvement in predicting container connection success via inland modes
While not powered by real quantum hardware, the project showed that quantum principles could help guide real-world logistics optimization today.
“This isn’t science fiction. These algorithms let us make smarter trade-offs and test more scenarios than we could before,” said Paul Smits, then CFO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority.
Toward Climate-Optimized Port Logistics
In addition to efficiency, the platform included emissions modeling—a growing concern in Rotterdam’s green logistics strategy. The simulations allowed planners to identify container transfer patterns that minimized emissions, such as favoring barge over truck when feasible.
With the EU mandating aggressive carbon reduction goals across transport by 2030, such tools could help ports proactively meet compliance targets.
Future Development Roadmap
Following the pilot, the Port Authority outlined plans to:
Integrate the quantum-inspired platform into its Port Community System (PCS) by 2018
Expand simulation coverage to include real-time IoT sensor feeds
Explore eventual deployment on European quantum computing testbeds as hardware matured
Rotterdam also began sharing pilot findings with other ports—including Antwerp, Hamburg, and Singapore—through forums like the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH).
Academic and Industry Reactions
The use of quantum-inspired tools in maritime logistics caught the attention of the broader academic and logistics communities. TU Delft proposed expanding the research under EU Horizon 2020 programs, while ORTEC began developing a commercial version of its Quantum Logistics Simulation Suite (QLSS) for global terminals.
Port authorities in Busan and Vancouver also expressed early-stage interest in replicating the pilot.
Conclusion
The July 2016 quantum-inspired simulation pilot at the Port of Rotterdam demonstrated how next-gen optimization strategies can provide real-world value—even before scalable quantum hardware becomes available. With measurable improvements in berth scheduling, emissions modeling, and container routing, the project positioned Rotterdam at the forefront of quantum-era port logistics.
As maritime trade grows more complex and climate accountability tightens, such tools will be vital in helping ports evolve into intelligent, adaptive, and sustainable infrastructure hubs.