Quantum Algorithms Arrive at the Port: Maersk Pilots Quantum Optimization for Smart Container Routing

The Next Leap in Smart Port Management

As global supply chains become more digitized and data-intensive, logistics giants are increasingly turning to quantum computing to untangle some of their most persistent optimization puzzles. In July 2019, Maersk revealed a quiet but significant collaboration with Canadian quantum computing company D-Wave Systems, focusing on container routing logistics across several European terminals.

This pilot program, which Maersk’s tech subsidiary TradeLens is overseeing, marks one of the first known commercial tests of quantum annealing in a live shipping network. Specifically, the experiment applies D-Wave’s quantum annealer to optimize dynamic routing of shipping containers from vessels to trucks and trains, minimizing yard congestion and reducing idle crane times.

The Port Optimization Puzzle

Container ports remain among the most complex operational environments in modern logistics. Every ship docking event triggers a sequence of decisions involving cranes, trucks, trains, and customs processes. Traditionally, these have been coordinated using classical optimization software, which struggles with the combinatorial explosion of variables in real time.

Maersk’s trial aims to apply quantum techniques to solve what is known as the Quadratic Assignment Problem (QAP), a core challenge in facility layout and routing. D-Wave’s annealing-based approach is particularly well-suited for this class of problem, even at small qubit scales.

“Even modest gains in routing efficiency across terminals can result in massive savings in fuel and time,” says Flemming Jensen, Chief Digital Operations Officer at Maersk. “We’re testing how quantum optimization fits into our existing tech stack alongside AI and classical solvers.”

Quantum Meets Operational Realities

According to internal reports, the pilot focused on operations in the Port of Rotterdam and Hamburg, where real-time yard congestion was simulated and fed into D-Wave’s Leap cloud platform. While initial results haven’t been published publicly, sources close to the effort suggest the quantum approach demonstrated measurable improvements—particularly during high-load peak hours.

These gains may seem incremental in the short term, but for companies processing thousands of containers per day, even a 1–2% efficiency improvement can translate to millions in savings over time. The Maersk-D-Wave pilot highlights how hybrid quantum-classical approaches—where quantum solvers are used as components within broader algorithms—are becoming the new normal.

A Strategic Foothold in Quantum Logistics

This initiative builds on Maersk’s increasing investment in AI and edge computing. Through TradeLens, its blockchain logistics joint venture with IBM, Maersk has already digitized much of the cargo tracking and customs documentation workflow. Adding quantum computing into the mix suggests a strategic roadmap that sees these technologies converging.

While D-Wave is often seen as an outlier in the quantum computing space—focusing on annealing rather than gate-model quantum systems—its commercially available hardware and ease of use through APIs have made it attractive for early logistics use cases.

“Quantum annealing isn’t the final destination,” notes Dr. Vlatko Vedral, a quantum information professor at the University of Oxford. “But for logistics companies looking for quick wins, it’s an accessible entry point.”

Port Authorities Watching Closely

European port authorities, particularly in the Netherlands and Germany, are keeping a close eye on this trial. There’s growing interest in integrating quantum algorithms into smart port control systems, particularly for resource allocation and berth scheduling.

In parallel, Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority announced in July its own exploratory study into quantum-based risk modeling for port disruptions due to weather or cyberattacks. Although still theoretical, this mirrors the growing international momentum.

Looking Ahead: From Yard Optimization to Global Freight Networks

Maersk’s quantum pilot is one piece of a broader trend. FedEx, DHL, and DB Schenker have each announced quantum feasibility studies, particularly in freight routing and intermodal handoffs. While many of these efforts are still exploratory, 2019 marks a turning point where live trials are moving from labs to logistics networks.

If successful, Maersk could expand its quantum pilot into full-scale deployment across ports in Asia and North America. The eventual goal: real-time quantum-informed supply chain orchestration, where each leg of a container’s journey—sea, land, or rail—is optimized on the fly.

Conclusion

Maersk’s pilot with D-Wave Systems is more than a technical experiment—it’s a strategic marker of where global freight logistics is heading. As container ports groan under ever-growing demand, quantum computing offers a path to intelligent, real-time coordination that classical systems can’t achieve alone. While the technology is still in its early stages, July 2019 may be remembered as the month global logistics took a measurable step into the quantum future.