IBM and Maersk Begin Post-Quantum Security Trials on Global Trade Blockchain
September 15, 2016
Post-Quantum Security Comes to Maritime Trade Blockchain
On September 15, 2016, IBM and A.P. Moller–Maersk, the world’s largest container shipping firm, jointly announced their intention to begin testing post-quantum cryptography (PQC) algorithms within their early-stage blockchain-based platform for global trade logistics.
This security-focused update was prompted by rising awareness within the cybersecurity and logistics communities that classical encryption algorithms such as RSA and ECC may be broken by powerful quantum computers in the coming decades.
“Global trade relies on trust and transparency,” said Marie Wieck, General Manager for IBM Blockchain. “With quantum computing on the horizon, we must begin building in future-proof security today—especially for critical applications like customs documentation and cargo records.”
A Strategic Blockchain Collaboration
Earlier in 2016, IBM and Maersk had launched a joint blockchain initiative to digitize key elements of international trade workflows, including:
Bill of lading issuance and verification
Customs clearance processes
Port-to-port shipment tracking
The system, based on Hyperledger Fabric, had already undergone limited pilots with customs agencies in the Netherlands and the United States.
Adding post-quantum resilience was the next step to ensure that sensitive trade records, often stored and validated for years, would remain secure against future quantum adversaries.
Post-Quantum Algorithms Under Evaluation
IBM’s Zurich Research Lab, in conjunction with the IBM Crypto Competence Center, integrated several PQC schemes into the Hyperledger Fabric prototype, including:
Lattice-based encryption (e.g., Kyber, NTRU)
Hash-based digital signatures (e.g., XMSS, SPHINCS)
Code-based encryption (e.g., McEliece)
These were chosen for their NIST PQC standardization progress and their suitability for high-throughput blockchain applications.
The prototype evaluated:
Transaction latency and throughput with PQC digital signatures
Blockchain consensus delay under increased cryptographic load
Scalability of key management across hundreds of global trade lanes
Logistics-Specific Security Challenges
Trade blockchains require tamper-resistance and traceability across multiple untrusted parties, including shippers, customs agencies, freight forwarders, and port operators. Post-quantum protocols must function securely and efficiently in this decentralized, high-volume context.
Maersk CIO Adam Banks emphasized: “We are building a system that may need to retain integrity decades into the future. That means it must be quantum-resilient by design.”
Key concerns addressed in the September testing phase included:
Maintaining interoperability with existing customs IT systems
Reducing key sizes and signature overhead for legacy networks
Updating digital identity schemes to support quantum-safe credentials
Engagement with Global Standards Bodies
IBM and Maersk also engaged with NIST, ISO, and the ITU to share early results and guide future compliance. The platform’s security roadmap was aligned with expected 2022 NIST PQC standard announcements.
The September 2016 trials served as an early field deployment of quantum-resilient trade infrastructure—potentially setting the baseline for next-generation customs and border control systems.
Future Use Cases and Roadmap
Looking ahead, the team planned to:
Scale PQC trials across Africa–Europe and Asia–America trade routes
Evaluate performance under increased volumes and time-sensitive cargo types
Integrate quantum-safe IoT telemetry from smart containers into the blockchain
Additional pilot partners, including freight forwarders and national customs agencies in Singapore and Canada, were invited to join the next testing phase in 2017.
Conclusion
IBM and Maersk’s September 2016 push to integrate post-quantum cryptography into blockchain-based global trade workflows marks a critical step in securing the digital supply chain against future quantum threats. As global commerce becomes increasingly digitized and decentralized, early adoption of PQC will be essential for sustaining trust, legality, and operational continuity in cross-border logistics.
This collaboration sets the stage for a broader industry migration toward quantum-resilient logistics platforms in the years ahead.