Quantum Leap for Global Logistics: IBM and Maersk Explore Quantum Simulation for Supply Chain Complexity

Quantum Logistics: A New Frontier Emerges

Quantum computing has often been associated with fields like cryptography, materials science, and pharmaceutical research. But as of late 2019, its potential impact on the global logistics sector began receiving serious attention. One of the most notable initiatives in this space came with the announcement that IBM, through its IBM Q Network, had entered exploratory discussions with A.P. Moller–Maersk, the world’s largest container shipping company, to examine quantum computing’s capacity for supply chain simulation and optimization.

Although no commercial product was launched, this early-stage exploration symbolized the readiness of traditional freight giants to embrace quantum thinking in the face of mounting global complexity — from geopolitical shifts to climate-driven rerouting.

Why Maersk and Why Now?

Maersk, which manages over 700 vessels and moves roughly 17% of all global containers, operates in an environment riddled with uncertainty. Port congestions, customs delays, weather disruptions, and dynamic fuel costs make route optimization a perpetual challenge. Classical computing has long struggled to simulate these variables holistically, especially at the global scale.

That’s where quantum simulation enters the picture.

Unlike classical simulations that grow computationally intensive as variables increase, quantum systems model interactions more efficiently using entangled qubits. For Maersk, the implications could be transformative: identifying optimal port sequences, predicting delays with greater accuracy, and generating more resilient logistics strategies under fluctuating conditions.

IBM Q Network: Building the Quantum Logistics Ecosystem

IBM's Q Network, which includes more than 100 partners by late 2019 — including academic institutions, startups, and enterprise members — serves as a proving ground for real-world applications of quantum computing. Logistics, long considered too operational for early-stage quantum attention, entered IBM’s radar through exploratory research with MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab and supply chain analytics partners.

The focus areas for Maersk and IBM included:

• Port Call Optimization: Reducing idle port time through quantum-enhanced prediction models.

• Dynamic Freight Routing: Simulating optimal cargo flow through congested maritime networks.

• Container Utilization: Using quantum algorithms to enhance cargo placement and balance.

While IBM Q processors like the 53-qubit "Raleigh" were still in the NISQ (Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum) phase, the collaboration aimed at hybrid quantum-classical algorithms that could extract incremental improvements over traditional methods.

Beyond Theory: Use Cases Under Consideration

One practical use case was the Suez Canal bottleneck scenario, where rerouting thousands of ships in real time due to a blocked chokepoint involves combinatorial optimization. Another was optimizing empty container repositioning, a billion-dollar pain point in shipping. Even a modest improvement could yield substantial cost savings and emissions reductions.

In interviews conducted around the time, IBM’s quantum lead Dr. Talia Gershon noted, “The logistics sector is ripe for disruption. We're not just building better math — we’re helping companies rethink physical infrastructure with quantum-native strategies.”

Global Implications and European Interest

Europe, through initiatives like Quantum Flagship and Germany’s Forschungszentrum Jülich, was also beginning to fund early research into quantum-enhanced transportation modeling. Dutch port authorities in Rotterdam were exploring AI and blockchain integration with port logistics — laying groundwork that quantum could one day enhance.

Japan’s Fujitsu and Toyota Tsusho also quietly explored logistics applications of digital annealers — systems inspired by quantum principles — indicating that Asia was not far behind.

The Bigger Picture: Quantum's Role in Global Trade

As trade tensions and climate events continued to reshape the global supply chain in 2019, logistics players realized that agility was no longer a luxury. Quantum computing, while still a decade from full-scale deployment, presented a pathway to simulate global trade at the speed and complexity it truly demands.

Furthermore, as carbon accounting regulations tightened, especially across the EU, shipping companies needed more granular models to calculate route-based emissions. Quantum simulations could offer visibility into trade-offs between speed, fuel use, and carbon footprint — a critical capability in a decarbonizing world.

Challenges Ahead

Despite the enthusiasm, several limitations remained:

• Hardware Maturity: IBM’s 2019 systems had high error rates and limited coherence times.

• Talent Gap: Quantum algorithm development for logistics required a rare blend of domain expertise and quantum programming skills.

• Economic Justification: Many logistics players were unsure whether early quantum investments would yield near-term ROI.

Nevertheless, partnerships like IBM and Maersk helped break new ground, showing that quantum thinking was no longer confined to the lab.

Conclusion

The quiet quantum conversations of November 2019 between IBM and Maersk mark a pivotal moment in logistics history. While tangible results are years away, the willingness of global freight leaders to explore quantum simulation reflects a seismic mindset shift. As quantum computing advances in capability and accessibility, the seeds planted during this exploratory phase could blossom into a fully digitized, hyper-optimized global trade network.

The era of quantum logistics may have just begun — and its first port of call was Maersk.