Singapore’s PSA International Pilots Quantum Optimization for Container Scheduling with IBM
November 16, 2021
Singapore’s Port Logistics at a Quantum Crossroads
As a global maritime hub, Singapore handles over 37 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually. PSA’s flagship terminals at Pasir Panjang and Tuas face unprecedented pressure from rising cargo volumes, pandemic-related backlogs, and growing vessel size. Traditional scheduling tools—based on rule-based heuristics or linear programming—struggle to resolve complex interdependencies between berth allocation, yard operations, and crane utilization.
This context made PSA an ideal candidate to explore quantum-enhanced logistics, particularly in areas where classical methods hit computational walls. In November 2021, PSA partnered with IBM Quantum to assess the potential of quantum algorithms in boosting port scheduling efficiency.
IBM Quantum and the Port Simulation Engine
The trial involved building a digital twin of PSA’s container terminal operations, integrating it with IBM’s Qiskit optimization stack and quantum backends via the IBM Quantum cloud.
The goal: translate container scheduling problems—typically formulated as job-shop scheduling or Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) models—into forms executable by quantum and hybrid solvers.
The testbed included:
Crane scheduling tasks with constraints for crane interference, work zones, and safety margins
Container stacking decisions to minimize reshuffling while optimizing pickup windows
Vessel berthing slot assignments under uncertain arrival time forecasts
Technical Stack and Solver Strategy
IBM and PSA engineers used hybrid algorithms combining quantum approximate optimization (QAOA) and classical pruning heuristics to tackle combinatorially intense segments of the problem space.
The computational flow involved:
Encoding scheduling problems into QUBO format using Qiskit Optimization
Running QAOA trials on IBM’s 7-qubit Falcon processor and classical simulators
Benchmarking against PSA’s traditional solvers and mixed-integer programming routines
Pilot Findings and Preliminary Results
While the trial remained exploratory in 2021, early simulations offered insights:
Quantum-enhanced solvers matched classical models in slot assignment accuracy
In certain crane dispatching subproblems, QAOA achieved 5–10% faster convergence
Potential for better handling of dynamic rescheduling during weather disruptions
Engineers emphasized that while quantum advantage wasn’t yet achieved, hybrid quantum-classical workflows showed promise in improving responsiveness during peak port load scenarios.
Strategic Implications for PSA and Southeast Asia
The collaboration with IBM is part of PSA’s broader digitalization roadmap, which includes:
PortNet 2.0: A smart port operating system with AI and IoT features
Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and smart cranes already operating at Tuas Mega Port
Green logistics initiatives to optimize energy use in cargo handling
Quantum computing is seen as a longer-term bet—enabling port planners to cope with rising system complexity, volatile global demand, and tighter environmental constraints.
PSA executives noted that even partial gains in scheduling—on the order of 3–7%—could translate into millions in annual savings and faster turnaround for vessels.
IBM’s Broader Maritime Quantum Strategy
IBM’s partnership with PSA aligns with its efforts to embed quantum readiness in real-world industrial verticals:
It has run port simulation pilots with Maersk and Port of Rotterdam
Supported marine weather routing models with hybrid quantum solvers
Worked with Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) to integrate quantum pilots with national infrastructure programs
This strategy places maritime logistics alongside finance, pharmaceuticals, and energy as key sectors targeted for early quantum adoption.
Regulatory and Ecosystem Support
The PSA–IBM quantum trial received support from:
Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) under its digital innovation blueprint
SGInnovate, which promotes quantum tech entrepreneurship in Southeast Asia
IBM’s Q Network, giving PSA access to hardware roadmaps and early developer tools
Together, these frameworks create a strong foundation for transitioning from pilot to production over the next five years.
Challenges and Opportunities
The trial revealed critical gaps to be addressed before operational deployment:
Scalability: Today’s quantum hardware cannot yet handle the full complexity of port-wide scheduling
Integration: Bridging quantum solvers with real-time data systems remains non-trivial
Skill gaps: Training port planners and logistics analysts in quantum workflows is a work in progress
Yet PSA and IBM remain committed to building the scaffolding for long-term gains.
Outlook: A Quantum Future for Smart Ports
November 2021 may be remembered as the starting point for Southeast Asia’s entry into quantum logistics experimentation. With PSA International as a trailblazer, quantum optimization in container scheduling is moving from theoretical potential to pilot-tested feasibility.
As quantum hardware scales and hybrid methods mature, smart port operators around the world will look to Singapore’s quantum blueprint as a guide for transforming container logistics into a next-generation computational frontier.