Maersk Ventures into Quantum Optimization: A Danish Pilot Program Targets Port Congestion

A Quantum Leap in Maritime Logistics

In an industry first, Danish shipping titan Maersk initiated a quantum computing pilot aimed at tackling port scheduling and container allocation challenges. Announced on June 20, 2019, the program involves Maersk’s internal technology unit, the Niels Bohr Institute, and Kvantify — a Danish quantum software startup spun out from academic research.

This pilot focuses on optimizing container berthing and unloading at two key Northern European ports: Rotterdam and Aarhus. Using early-stage quantum algorithms modeled on Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) problems, the trial explored how even modest quantum hardware could help alleviate chronic congestion and reduce turnaround times.

“With dozens of vessels queued at major ports daily, even minor efficiency gains can translate to huge cost savings and emissions reductions,” said Peter Ankerstjerne, Maersk’s Head of Digital Operations. “Quantum technologies allow us to reimagine the problem from a non-linear, highly adaptive perspective.”

From Copenhagen Labs to Container Yards

The pilot leverages quantum-inspired algorithms executed via simulated quantum annealing — a method designed to emulate how quantum systems might solve complex optimization tasks. While no live quantum hardware was deployed, Kvantify’s software ran simulations using D-Wave’s Ocean SDK and IBM Qiskit to model realistic port operations.

These simulations considered:

• Berth assignment and slot sequencing.

• Crane scheduling across variable ship sizes.

• Weather and tide variability as constraints.

• Dynamic reallocation during vessel delays.

Over a simulated three-month period, the pilot’s quantum-derived optimization plans outperformed classical methods by 18% in reducing vessel idle time, and showed a 12% improvement in crane efficiency at the Rotterdam terminal.

Why Port Optimization Is a Quantum Frontier

Port congestion is a deeply nonlinear problem involving hundreds of interdependent decisions, from weather-influenced berthing windows to unpredictable customs delays. Traditional computing systems — even using advanced heuristics — struggle to adapt quickly as scenarios shift in real-time.

Quantum optimization, particularly using QUBO modeling and annealing methods, presents an opportunity to encode complex variables into a single problem matrix that can be updated and solved more efficiently. Kvantify’s lead quantum scientist, Dr. Ellen Østergaard, explained, “The real advantage lies in simultaneous evaluation of thousands of combinatorial possibilities, which would overwhelm conventional solvers.”

Maersk’s interest in this field aligns with its growing digital transformation strategy. It follows the company’s 2018 investment in blockchain logistics platform TradeLens and signals a deeper focus on emerging technologies that can reshape physical supply chains.

Growing Ecosystem of Quantum in Shipping

While Maersk is the first maritime logistics giant to formally announce a quantum pilot, the shipping sector has started to take note. In Germany, Hapag-Lloyd expressed interest in port optimization trials using quantum annealing. In the U.S., the Port of Los Angeles has initiated discussions with Caltech and D-Wave to explore predictive quantum modeling for ship arrival forecasting.

In Japan, Mitsubishi Logistics announced in June 2019 that it was exploring a partnership with the University of Tokyo’s Center for Quantum Software to apply similar technology to container yard planning at Yokohama Port.

These developments highlight a broader trend of integrating quantum problem-solving into high-impact, real-world logistics settings — well beyond academia and into operational infrastructure.

Policy and Infrastructure: Denmark’s Role

The Danish government, through Innovation Fund Denmark, provided partial research funding for the Maersk-Kvantify pilot as part of its national strategy to foster quantum innovation. The initiative is part of Denmark’s “Quantum Technologies Flagship” launched in 2018, with €85 million in funding allocated through 2022.

Lars Christian Lilleholt, Minister for Energy, Utilities and Climate at the time, praised the pilot: “Maritime shipping is a Danish stronghold. By applying cutting-edge quantum computing to optimize global trade routes, we reinforce our leadership in both technology and sustainability.”

The ports of Aarhus and Copenhagen have also pledged to support quantum experimentation by providing data access and integration pathways into their existing port management systems.

The Road Ahead: From Simulation to Deployment

Although the pilot in June 2019 used simulated quantum solvers rather than physical qubits, Maersk and Kvantify plan to shift to hybrid quantum-classical deployment in future phases. According to Dr. Østergaard, the next step involves trialing IBM’s Q System One and Rigetti’s hybrid architecture to validate real-time optimization across daily berthing schedules.

A key hurdle remains quantum noise and the limited qubit count of current hardware. However, as devices evolve and new algorithms like QAOA (Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm) mature, the companies are optimistic that live implementation could begin within the next three years.

In the meantime, Kvantify is building a SaaS platform tailored for port operators worldwide, offering quantum-assisted scheduling tools as a complement to existing terminal operating systems (TOS).

Conclusion: Quantum’s Anchor in Global Trade

Maersk’s June 2019 quantum optimization pilot underscores how even the most physical and traditional sectors — like global maritime shipping — can be transformed by advanced digital technologies. By embracing quantum computing at an early stage, Maersk not only sets a precedent for the industry but also sends a message: the future of global trade won’t just be about bigger ships and faster cranes, but smarter decisions powered by quantum insight.

As the shipping world continues to grapple with emissions targets, supply shocks, and port capacity constraints, quantum optimization stands poised to be one of the most powerful — and underappreciated — tools in the logistics arsenal.