Singapore and Israel Collaborate on Quantum Cryptography for Maritime Logistics

Singapore–Israel Pact Pioneers Quantum Security in Maritime Logistics

The maritime shipping industry, which accounts for over 80% of global trade by volume, has become an increasingly attractive target for cyberattacks. From the 2011 breach of South Korea’s Port of Busan to the 2016 malware attack on Maersk’s systems, adversaries have demonstrated the vulnerability of international port infrastructure to data interception and sabotage.

To combat this, Singapore and Israel—the two most digitally advanced maritime economies in Asia and the Middle East, respectively—announced a joint initiative in April 2017 to explore quantum key distribution (QKD) as a next-generation cryptographic layer for logistics systems. The bilateral partnership aimed to strengthen cyber-resilience in port-to-port data transmissions, container manifest authentication, and maritime situational awareness platforms.

Quantum Cryptography Meets Port Security

At the core of the initiative was quantum key distribution (QKD), a technique that uses entangled photon pairs to generate and share encryption keys between two endpoints in a way that guarantees any eavesdropping attempt would be detected.

While QKD has been largely limited to laboratory demonstrations and highly secured networks, this project aimed to apply the technology to real-world maritime operations, including:

• Port control system authentication

• Encrypted communications between customs agencies

• Securing real-time tracking data from smart containers

• Command-and-control for maritime surveillance drones and autonomous vessels

Professor Joseph Kahn, a quantum communications expert at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, said, “Maritime supply chains are only as strong as their weakest encryption key. QKD lets us mathematically guarantee secrecy, which is essential for national infrastructure like ports.”

The Technical Backbone: IDA + TAU

On Singapore’s side, the project was overseen by the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) in coordination with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). Israel’s counterpart was Tel Aviv University’s Center for Quantum Science and Technology, working alongside the Israeli National Cyber Directorate (INCD).

Initial efforts included:

• A terrestrial fiber-QKD trial between Singapore’s Jurong Port and Tuas Mega Port facilities, covering 18 kilometers of secure transmission.

• A maritime simulation testbed in Haifa, modeling QKD performance aboard naval logistics vessels with quantum channel noise and atmospheric interference.

The fiber trials used ID Quantique’s Cerberis QKD platform, a Swiss-built system previously deployed in financial sectors. Meanwhile, the maritime tests used portable QKD modules designed to be robust under motion and thermal variation.

Objectives: From Proof-of-Concept to Operational Readiness

The joint effort was divided into two phases:

Phase 1 (2017–2018):

• Proof-of-concept QKD communication between two maritime control centers

• Simulation of quantum attacks on port information systems

• Development of post-quantum security protocols for vessel manifests

Phase 2 (2019 onward):

• Deployment of QKD-enabled secure communication channels between Singapore and Israel

• Integration with blockchain-based trade authentication platforms (including TradeTrust and BITA)

• Publication of a bilateral white paper for broader logistics sector adoption

Rear Admiral Lew Chuen Hong, head of Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority, emphasized, “Our vision is a future where container tracking data, customs clearance, and even robotic vessel coordination are all encrypted using quantum-secure methods. That is how we stay ahead of threats in the 21st century.”

Logistics Industry Implications

The implications of the Singapore–Israel quantum cryptography trial extend far beyond bilateral trade. Both countries are among the top 10 port operators globally, with Singapore serving as a transshipment hub and Israel developing Haifa and Ashdod into Mediterranean smart ports.

By introducing QKD into maritime logistics:

• Shipping lines gain stronger protection for bill-of-lading transmissions and port scheduling updates.

• IoT-based smart container systems can be hardened against spoofing or tampering attempts.

• National customs platforms gain resistance against post-quantum decryption by future adversaries.

“Quantum cryptography in logistics isn’t just about preventing espionage—it’s about preserving trust in global trade,” noted Dr. Yifat Malka, senior advisor to Israel’s National Cyber Bureau.

Integration With Blockchain and Customs Automation

The trial also laid the groundwork for integrating QKD with blockchain platforms, specifically for trade documentation authentication. Singapore’s TradeTrust initiative, designed to digitize the bill-of-lading process, had already begun working with A*STAR to explore quantum-hardened digital signatures.

This mirrors a broader global movement where blockchain-backed systems, while offering immutability, are increasingly paired with quantum-safe cryptographic layers to ensure long-term survivability of trade records.

In parallel, Singapore’s customs clearance automation project was modified to include quantum-secured handshake protocols between AI-based customs agents and foreign port authorities.

Geopolitical Significance and NATO Interest

The collaboration did not go unnoticed by the international community. NATO’s Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) released a commentary in May 2017 acknowledging the “strategic implications” of the trial and calling it a model for dual-use technology adoption.

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also reached out to observe results from the QKD maritime trials, as part of its ongoing research into quantum resilience for ports in Long Beach and New York.

Both Singapore and Israel positioned this effort not just as a technological demonstration, but as a diplomatic signal: that small, digitally advanced nations could shape the cyber norms for the future of logistics.

Conclusion: Port Security Reimagined

The April 2017 quantum cryptography collaboration between Singapore and Israel underscored the increasing urgency of securing the logistics backbone of the global economy. In a world where cargo movements, customs declarations, and port controls are all digitized, cryptographic strength becomes a matter of national security.

By pioneering QKD trials in real maritime environments, both countries offered a glimpse into what post-quantum security in logistics could look like. As quantum computing advances, the need to quantum-proof our trade routes becomes not just strategic—but inevitable.

With this foundational step, Singapore and Israel helped move quantum cryptography from lab to harbor—securing not just containers, but the future of commerce itself.