Port of Valencia Trials Quantum Digital Twin for Container Optimization with Multiverse Computing
May 26, 2022
Seaports remain some of the most critical and congested nodes in the global supply chain, handling billions of tons of goods every year. In Europe, the Port of Valencia stands out not only for its scale — consistently ranking among the continent’s busiest — but also for its ongoing commitment to digital transformation. On May 26, 2022, Valencia became one of the first ports in the world to successfully test quantum-inspired optimization inside a digital twin, signaling a breakthrough in how container terminals can operate in the 21st century.
This pilot, launched in partnership with Multiverse Computing, aimed to solve some of the most stubborn bottlenecks in port management. By embedding quantum-inspired algorithms into a real-time virtual replica of port workflows, Valencia demonstrated how future-ready optimization methods can reshape global trade efficiency and sustainability.
Quantum Logistics Meets the Shipping Industry
The shipping sector faces mounting challenges: rising cargo volumes, tighter climate regulations, and unpredictable disruptions such as COVID-era backlogs. Ports, already pressured by these demands, need innovative solutions to stay resilient.
The Port of Valencia, already known as a smart port pioneer, took a bold step forward by embracing quantum-inspired computing. The pilot was conducted through the collaboration of three organizations:
Fundación Valenciaport (ValenciaPort Foundation) – the innovation hub driving modernization projects.
Multiverse Computing – a leading quantum software company based in Spain, specializing in optimization algorithms.
InnovaQuantum – a joint research platform focused on advancing logistics applications.
Together, these partners launched a digital twin of Valencia’s port ecosystem and enhanced it with quantum optimization capabilities, specifically targeting real-time scheduling and container traffic flow.
Inside the Quantum Digital Twin Pilot
The project focused on three critical challenges in container logistics:
Yard crane scheduling – determining which cranes should move containers and at what time, balancing workloads across equipment.
Vessel berthing optimization – deciding which ship docks at which berth to minimize waiting times and maximize port throughput.
Container slotting and stacking – managing how containers are placed and reshuffled to reduce unnecessary moves.
At the core of this effort was Multiverse Computing’s Singularity platform, which supports hybrid quantum-classical optimization approaches.
Technical Highlights of the Pilot:
Optimization Encoding: Logistics challenges were modeled as Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) problems, a standard framework in quantum optimization.
Algorithms: Tensor networks and quantum-inspired heuristics ran on classical hardware (GPUs) but exploited quantum principles for better search.
Speed: Solutions were generated 30–50% faster than legacy optimization systems, reducing computational bottlenecks.
Integration: APIs linked the system directly to the port’s operational data streams, ensuring recommendations could be tested in real time.
The trial demonstrated measurable benefits: crane scheduling conflicts dropped by up to 17%, and container reshuffling decreased by 12%. These gains translated into smoother operations and fewer delays across terminal activities.
Why Quantum-Inspired Optimization Matters
Quantum-inspired optimization does not rely on fault-tolerant quantum computers — machines that remain years away from commercial deployment. Instead, it uses algorithms modeled on quantum mechanics but runs on today’s classical infrastructure.
For Valencia, this approach offered three immediate advantages:
Scalability – able to model thousands of interdependent decisions in real-world conditions.
Adaptability – capable of recalculating optimal schedules in seconds when ships are delayed or equipment breaks down.
Sustainability – reduced crane idle time and vessel waiting directly translate into lower fuel consumption and emissions.
By using quantum-inspired techniques, Valencia avoided the hardware limitations of early quantum processors while still benefiting from advanced mathematical models that extend beyond conventional optimization methods.
Strategic Relevance for Ports and Supply Chains
The trial was more than a technical success — it carried significant strategic weight. Ports globally are seeking to strengthen resilience after years of disruptions. For Valencia, the quantum digital twin became a tool for both efficiency and sustainability.
Key goals included:
Cutting emissions through more efficient use of cranes and reduced vessel waiting times.
Increasing throughput capacity to accommodate projected growth in global shipping volumes.
Creating a predictive, flexible logistics framework able to withstand unexpected shocks such as extreme weather or sudden demand surges.
The initiative also aligned with broader policy priorities. Spain’s Ministry of Transport has championed intelligent port operations, and the European Union’s Horizon Europe program has emphasized green logistics as central to climate transition.
Valencia’s Position as a Smart Port Leader
The Port of Valencia has already deployed a variety of digital innovations:
IoT networks to track assets and monitor environmental conditions.
AI-driven scheduling for truck and gate management.
Renewable energy systems, including solar arrays, to reduce carbon footprint.
5G infrastructure to support autonomous machinery and real-time data exchange.
Adding quantum-inspired optimization to this foundation allowed the port to extend its technological leadership. The project showed how a port can evolve from digital to quantum-enhanced operations — a trajectory other global hubs are closely watching.
Multiverse Computing’s Role in Logistics Transformation
Founded in San Sebastián, Spain, Multiverse Computing has quickly become one of the most visible players in applying quantum techniques to real-world industries. Beyond logistics, the company has projects in:
Finance – portfolio optimization with banks like BBVA and Crédit Agricole.
Energy – balancing renewable grids with Iberdrola.
Manufacturing – predictive maintenance with Basque Country factories.
Mobility – smart city traffic systems in Barcelona and Paris.
For logistics, the Valencia pilot was a natural extension, positioning Multiverse as a critical enabler of quantum-ready supply chains.
Roadmap Toward Scaled Deployment
Following the May 2022 trial, Fundación Valenciaport and Multiverse Computing defined a multi-stage roadmap:
Expansion of the digital twin – covering rail links, road access, and shipyards in addition to container terminals.
Integration of predictive analytics – factoring in vessel delays, weather events, and equipment maintenance schedules.
Embedding into the Port Community System (PCS) – ensuring that terminal operators, shipping lines, and freight forwarders can access and benefit from quantum-optimized decisions.
European collaboration – launching a quantum logistics working group under ALICE (Alliance for Logistics Innovation through Collaboration in Europe) to share best practices.
These steps mark a pathway toward a fully integrated, quantum-enhanced logistics ecosystem.
Global Implications for Quantum Logistics
The success of the Port of Valencia pilot sends an important message: quantum logistics is no longer theoretical. Ports in Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Singapore are already investigating similar digital twin initiatives, with quantum-inspired methods at the forefront.
The broader implication is that quantum optimization is moving from pilot phase to operational readiness. As ports integrate these tools with AI, IoT, and 5G, the performance gap between early adopters and laggards will widen significantly.
Conclusion
The Port of Valencia’s May 26, 2022 quantum digital twin trial represents a turning point for maritime logistics. By combining digital twins, live data integration, and quantum-inspired algorithms, the project improved crane scheduling, vessel berthing, and container flows — all while reducing emissions and boosting resilience.
Valencia’s success demonstrates how seaports, often seen as traditional and infrastructure-heavy, can lead the charge into next-generation computing. For the global shipping industry, the pilot is proof that quantum-inspired optimization is not just a research curiosity but a practical tool reshaping real-world supply chains today.