IBM and Maersk Explore Quantum Optimization Models for Maritime Logistics

IBM and Maersk Collaborate on Quantum Prototypes for Smarter Shipping

On September 7, 2017, IBM Research quietly began working with Maersk, the world's largest container shipping company, on applying early quantum algorithms to global shipping logistics. The partnership aimed to investigate how quantum annealing and combinatorial optimization could streamline port schedules, vessel routing, and real-time cargo tracking.

Though quantum computers in 2017 remained in their infancy—with IBM’s 16-qubit superconducting quantum processor among the most advanced available at the time—the collaboration signaled a bold step toward preparing maritime operations for the quantum era.

"We’re testing the waters to understand what quantum logistics could look like in a 5- to 10-year horizon," said Dr. Sarah Kingston, IBM's Quantum Research Program Manager at the Thomas J. Watson Research Center. "The complexity of global shipping is an ideal candidate for quantum advantage."

A Complex Optimization Challenge

Shipping logistics involves high-dimensional optimization problems—like determining the most efficient way to route thousands of vessels through congested ports, while minimizing fuel use, emissions, and delivery time. Classical algorithms, even with high-performance computing, often fall short in solving these multi-variable problems in real time.

Quantum computers, particularly those leveraging annealing and hybrid quantum-classical solvers, show promise in solving such combinatorial optimization problems more efficiently.

The pilot project between IBM and Maersk explored these specific areas:

• Port Congestion Prediction: Using quantum-enhanced models to simulate container arrival flows and berthing delays.

• Multi-Modal Routing: Quantum optimization to select ideal handover points between sea, rail, and truck freight.

• Inventory Pooling Models: Early quantum simulations for predicting optimal container inventory distributions across hubs.

Quantum Hardware Constraints and Hybrid Approaches

IBM’s 16-qubit processor, part of its IBM Q initiative, was made available via the IBM Quantum Experience cloud platform. While the qubit count was limited and not yet capable of full commercial optimization, researchers deployed hybrid approaches—where classical preprocessing is followed by quantum subroutines to refine feasible solutions.

"We’re combining the brute force of classical logistics algorithms with quantum refinement layers," noted Maersk’s Head of Advanced Analytics, Lars Ditlev. "It’s exploratory, but we believe this could yield double-digit efficiency gains."

Maritime Emissions as a Use Case

The quantum modeling pilot also aligned with Maersk’s sustainability roadmap. With the shipping industry under increasing pressure to cut carbon emissions, optimizing fuel use through better routing became an urgent goal.

Quantum simulations were used to analyze how different port sequences and cargo stacking configurations affect fuel consumption and container flow. The team modeled data from Maersk’s Asia–Europe loop, one of the busiest freight corridors globally.

Initial findings suggested that quantum algorithms could identify alternative routes and schedules that cut emissions by up to 8% compared to baseline methods.

Quantum and Blockchain in Tandem

This partnership came only months after Maersk and IBM announced their interest in blockchain-based trade digitization (which would eventually become TradeLens). IBM researchers saw the opportunity to combine quantum security and blockchain for safeguarding global shipping data.

"Quantum will one day threaten classical encryption. By investing in both quantum-safe security and optimization, Maersk is hedging future risks across logistics infrastructure," Kingston explained.

While the September 2017 effort remained research-oriented, the potential fusion of quantum logistics optimization and quantum-secure tracking via blockchain hinted at a fully quantum-aware maritime ecosystem.

Global Reactions and Competitive Pressure

The pilot caught the attention of European competitors such as CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd, who had begun quantum feasibility studies of their own by late 2017. Meanwhile, Japanese and Singaporean maritime innovation agencies also reached out to IBM’s Zurich lab for potential collaborations.

IBM’s involvement further solidified its quantum leadership, as the company had already announced plans to build 50-qubit systems by 2020 and commercialize hybrid quantum cloud services. IBM’s logistics engagements laid the groundwork for industry-wide adoption of quantum computing.

Logistics Sector Readiness

Although full-scale quantum integration remained years away, the pilot offered a glimpse into future-ready logistics planning:

• Quantum-readiness audits became a growing practice among Maersk’s IT teams.

• Digital twin systems were identified as potential hosts for quantum optimization modules.

• Port authorities in Rotterdam, Singapore, and Shanghai expressed interest in co-developing future-proof logistics frameworks.

Challenges Remain

Quantum computing in 2017 was still error-prone and limited by decoherence and low qubit fidelity. Thus, the pilot faced constraints:

• Only small-scale routing problems could be tested.

• The qubit-to-variable mapping required simplification.

• Real-time integration with live fleet systems wasn’t feasible.

Nonetheless, Maersk deemed the pilot a strategic success and planned further exploration with IBM in 2018, including evaluating D-Wave’s quantum annealing systems and exploring post-quantum cryptography for maritime communications.

Conclusion

IBM and Maersk’s early engagement in quantum optimization during September 2017 marked a foundational step in preparing the global maritime industry for a post-classical computing landscape. As quantum hardware matures, the groundwork laid in these early pilots will accelerate real-world deployment of advanced routing, scheduling, and carbon-efficient shipping models. The convergence of quantum computing, AI, and logistics signals a coming transformation in how the world’s cargo moves—and how smart it can become.