Global Quantum Logistics Collaboration Launched by IBM, Samsung SDS, and Port of Rotterdam
January 10, 2022
A New Chapter in Trade Optimization
Quantum computing may be on the verge of transforming the backbone of international trade. On January 10, 2022, IBM, Samsung SDS, and the Port of Rotterdam Authority announced the formation of the Global Quantum Logistics Collaboration (GQLC), a strategic initiative to apply quantum technologies to the challenges of global shipping and freight operations.
The consortium marks one of the first major cross-sector efforts to bring quantum applications into large-scale, real-world infrastructure. Each partner brings a unique strength to the alliance:
IBM Quantum (United States): providing algorithm expertise and access to its Qiskit runtime and Eagle-class processors.
Samsung SDS (South Korea): offering logistics AI, ERP integration tools, and port data systems already deployed in Asia.
Port of Rotterdam Authority (Netherlands): acting as the primary testbed for intermodal optimization and cargo scheduling trials.
Together, the partners aim to co-develop hybrid quantum-classical optimization platforms that can address the complexity and volatility of international supply chains.
Targeting Bottlenecks in Global Trade
The timing of this initiative is significant. In 2021, global trade experienced unprecedented disruptions. The lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with geopolitical tensions, labor shortages, and shipping imbalances, pushed supply chains to their breaking point. Major ports such as Rotterdam and Busan faced container backlogs stretching for weeks. Ships arrived misaligned with unloading slots, and traditional optimization methods—while advanced—struggled to adapt to the rapid swings in port and customs conditions.
Quantum computing’s ability to evaluate billions of possible outcomes simultaneously presents a compelling alternative. By leveraging algorithms specifically designed for optimization and uncertainty modeling, quantum systems could generate solutions beyond the reach of conventional computing.
The GQLC’s first targets reflect the most pressing bottlenecks in trade:
Quantum-enhanced vessel scheduling: Reducing turnaround times for berths, cranes, and dockside equipment.
Cross-border customs modeling: Simulating stochastic delays across national checkpoints.
Multimodal synchronization: Ensuring better timing between ships, rail, and trucks to minimize dwell time.
These areas not only have economic implications but also contribute to sustainability goals, such as reducing maritime fuel use and cutting emissions from idle cargo.
Port of Rotterdam as a Quantum Sandbox
As Europe’s largest port, handling more than 14 million TEU annually, the Port of Rotterdam is an ideal proving ground for quantum logistics. Its digital twin platform, which mirrors real-time port operations in a virtual environment, allows researchers to test models against live conditions.
Under the GQLC, Rotterdam will host trials of IBM’s quantum machine learning models capable of simulating:
Vessel arrival patterns under uncertain weather conditions.
Dockside allocation of cranes, trucks, and equipment.
Emissions impacts of different scheduling scenarios.
To support integration, the port’s AI Innovation Center will establish a quantum sandbox node in collaboration with Quantum Inspire (QuTech, Netherlands), connecting quantum experiments with classical logistics analytics.
IBM’s Hybrid Quantum Architecture
IBM’s contribution centers on algorithm development and hardware access. The company plans to deploy:
QAOA (Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithms): for vessel and berth scheduling.
Variational Quantum Eigensolvers: for stochastic scenario-based modeling.
Quantum Neural Networks: to test dynamic throughput estimation.
Initially, models will run on quantum simulators and gradually transition to IBM’s Eagle-class superconducting processors by the end of 2022.
According to IBM’s Vice President of Quantum Ecosystems, “Global logistics is the perfect test case for quantum advantage. The complexity of scheduling and the volatility of trade conditions are precisely where hybrid quantum systems can outperform classical approaches.”
Samsung SDS Brings Supply Chain Integration
Samsung SDS, the IT services and logistics arm of Samsung, brings decades of operational experience across Asia. Its digital logistics control towers, deployed in ports like Busan and Incheon, already integrate ERP and AI systems for container flow and customs monitoring.
Within the GQLC, Samsung SDS will:
Connect quantum models with conventional TMS (Transportation Management Systems) and WMS (Warehouse Management Systems).
Test route planning overlays that span ocean, rail, air, and truck modes.
Simulate resilient supply chain routing between Korea and Europe.
For Samsung, the collaboration represents a move from piloting logistics AI to engineering enterprise-grade quantum applications.
Security and Post-Quantum Readiness
In addition to optimization, the consortium is tackling the security challenge posed by quantum computing itself. As international trade grows more digitized, secure communications between ports and customs agencies are critical.
In partnership with IBM Zurich and the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA), the GQLC will trial:
Lattice-based encryption in customs application programming interfaces (APIs).
Secure chains of documentation for bills of lading and cargo manifests.
Quantum-resilient IoT encryption for trackers and smart containers.
These efforts position the GQLC not only as an optimization consortium but also as a testing ground for the post-quantum security layer that global trade will require.
Global Alignment and Policy
The GQLC aligns with broader governmental and international initiatives:
The EU Quantum Flagship Program, which supports industrial quantum pilots.
South Korea’s 2030 Quantum Roadmap, which emphasizes logistics as a key application.
The U.S. National Quantum Initiative Act, promoting cross-sector adoption of quantum technologies.
By linking three major quantum hubs—the U.S., South Korea, and Europe—the collaboration sets a precedent for global-scale infrastructure partnerships.
Outlook: From Pilots to Platforms
The consortium outlined clear milestones for 2022:
Q2: Completion of simulation trials in Rotterdam and Busan.
Q3: Limited port deployments using hybrid quantum-classical models.
Q4: Publication of benchmarks, case studies, and white papers.
If successful, the GQLC plans to expand in 2023 to include ports in North America and Southeast Asia, rail operators, and shipping alliances seeking real-time synchronization across entire freight networks.
The collaboration underscores a critical shift: quantum computing is no longer confined to theoretical discussions. With logistics representing one of the world’s most complex and interconnected systems, breakthroughs here could cascade across every sector dependent on global trade.
Conclusion
The launch of the Global Quantum Logistics Collaboration on January 10, 2022, represents a turning point for both quantum technology and international trade. By combining IBM’s quantum expertise, Samsung SDS’s logistics integration, and the Port of Rotterdam’s digital infrastructure, the initiative brings quantum computing directly into the fabric of global commerce.
If the GQLC achieves its objectives, it could mark the first large-scale demonstration of quantum advantage in a real-world industry. Beyond optimizing cargo flows, it also lays the groundwork for secure, resilient, and sustainable trade networks in the post-pandemic era. The world’s busiest ports may soon operate not just on steel and shipping lanes, but also on the qubits of quantum processors guiding their every move.