Port of Los Angeles Begins Quantum Optimization Trials with D-Wave to Alleviate Congestion
July 12, 2022
Tackling global supply chain bottlenecks requires bold experimentation, and the Port of Los Angeles has taken a pioneering step by embracing quantum computing. On July 12, 2022, the port revealed a strategic partnership with D-Wave Quantum Inc., a Canadian quantum technology company, to pilot the use of quantum annealing for optimizing container logistics. The announcement comes at a time when the port, often called “America’s Port,” continues to confront the fallout from years of pandemic-driven disruptions.
Tackling a Global Logistics Bottleneck
The Port of Los Angeles is the busiest container port in the Western Hemisphere, handling more than 10 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually. But since 2020, unprecedented congestion, record import surges, and labor and trucking shortages have strained operations. Container backlogs reached historic levels in late 2021, with dozens of ships anchored offshore awaiting berths.
Traditional optimization tools, while effective in routine conditions, often break down when faced with sudden demand spikes or cascading disruptions. Recognizing this, the port has steadily expanded its investment in automation, digital twins, and AI-driven analytics. Now, with quantum computing entering the applied logistics arena, Los Angeles aims to see whether it can leapfrog conventional limits.
Why Quantum Annealing?
Unlike gate-based quantum computing, which is still in its infancy for industrial deployment, D-Wave specializes in quantum annealing. This technique focuses on solving complex optimization problems by mapping them into an energy landscape and finding the lowest-energy—or most optimal—configuration. For logistics, where countless variables like crane assignments, truck routing, and vessel arrivals must be harmonized, quantum annealing offers a promising path.
At the Port of Los Angeles, D-Wave’s technology is being tested on:
Container stacking and repositioning: Determining where containers should be placed to minimize unnecessary moves.
Drayage truck routing and scheduling: Reducing idle times and streamlining gate throughput.
Berth assignments: Allocating docking spaces to vessels more efficiently during peak arrival windows.
Crane usage optimization: Ensuring maximum utilization while avoiding bottlenecks.
Pilot Objectives and Technical Setup
The pilot trial is designed around three key objectives: improving yard utilization rates, reducing vessel dwell times, and shortening truck turnaround times.
To achieve this, the port’s logistics data from 2021–2022 was fed into Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) models created by D-Wave engineers. These models capture the constraints and trade-offs inherent in port operations, such as crane availability, yard space, and shipping deadlines.
Using D-Wave’s Leap hybrid cloud platform, jobs were submitted to the company’s Advantage quantum annealer, where hybrid solvers combined classical and quantum methods to generate recommendations. Integration with the port’s Terminal Management Systems (TMS) was enabled through REST APIs, allowing real-time simulation and performance benchmarking.
Initial Results
By late July 2022, preliminary results from the simulation stage were encouraging:
Crane utilization improved by up to 14% during periods of peak congestion.
Truck turn times decreased by 9%, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Berth scheduling became more adaptive, allowing tight docking windows to be managed more efficiently.
Though these percentages might seem modest, the scale of the Port of Los Angeles means even small gains translate into millions of dollars in savings and significant carbon footprint reductions annually.
Industry Expert Reactions
Industry observers applauded the bold step. Dr. Jessica Renfro, professor at MIT’s Center for Transportation and Logistics, commented:
“Quantum annealing excels at exactly the types of problems seaports face: high-density, high-constraint scheduling. This is a bold but timely move by LA Port management.”
The initiative also caught the attention of port CIOs across the United States, with several noting that LA’s pilot could provide a blueprint for other U.S. gateways struggling with congestion.
Broader Implications for Global Trade
This trial coincides with the U.S. government’s $17 billion federal investment in port infrastructure modernization, aimed at strengthening supply chain resilience. By positioning itself as an early adopter of quantum technology, the Port of Los Angeles not only addresses its local challenges but also sets a precedent for national logistics innovation.
Globally, the project places Los Angeles alongside leading ports such as:
Rotterdam, which launched a quantum pilot with Delft Quantum Institute in June 2022.
Singapore, exploring container stacking optimization with D-Wave.
Hamburg, testing AI and digital twin approaches.
Los Angeles is the first major U.S. seaport to formally announce a quantum optimization trial, highlighting America’s entry into a competitive global race to harness quantum computing for logistics.
Technical Architecture
D-Wave’s Leap system allowed engineers to:
Model congestion points as QUBO problems.
Submit computational tasks to D-Wave’s Advantage annealer.
Retrieve outputs through hybrid solvers that balanced speed and accuracy.
Visualize results on operational dashboards monitoring berth congestion, crane activity, and truck flows.
This modular integration ensured that existing operational software was not replaced, but instead augmented with quantum-enhanced recommendations.
Next Steps and Scale-Up
The Port of Los Angeles has laid out a roadmap for expansion:
Q2 2023: Run live trials during the busiest import season.
2023–2024: Extend to neighboring Port of Long Beach, creating a regional “quantum logistics hub.”
Beyond 2024: Expand optimization models to cover predictive maintenance, energy management, and automated guided vehicle (AGV) routing.
The partnership agreement with D-Wave is slated to run through 2024, during which both organizations will co-develop white papers and contribute to emerging quantum logistics standards.
The Future of Quantum in Intermodal Logistics
The Los Angeles pilot highlights a broader trend: quantum computing is shifting from theoretical promise to practical deployment in intermodal logistics. Beyond seaports, rail yards, air cargo hubs, and distribution centers stand to benefit from faster, more adaptive optimization.
By solving problems in seconds rather than hours, quantum-enhanced systems could dramatically reduce supply chain bottlenecks, cut costs, and lower environmental impacts. The sooner organizations begin experimenting, the faster they can reap compounding benefits as hardware matures.
Conclusion
The Port of Los Angeles’ July 2022 announcement represents a watershed moment for U.S. maritime logistics. By collaborating with D-Wave, the port is not only experimenting with quantum annealing but actively shaping the next era of global trade optimization. Early results show measurable improvements in crane utilization, truck turnaround, and berth scheduling—small efficiencies that add up to significant economic and sustainability gains.
As global supply chains become more complex and unpredictable, quantum-enabled optimization could provide the adaptability needed to keep goods flowing. The Port of Los Angeles has positioned itself at the frontier of this transition, offering a model that other ports—and the broader intermodal logistics sector—will likely follow in the years ahead.