Singapore’s PSA International Launches Quantum Container Flow Optimization at World’s Busiest Ports

Singapore’s PSA International, the world’s largest container terminal operator, has unveiled a quantum-powered container flow optimization system in collaboration with Maryland-based quantum computing company IonQ. The launch marks a historic step in applying quantum algorithms to one of the most pressing bottlenecks in global trade: port congestion.

The program is being deployed at Singapore’s state-of-the-art Tuas Port — a facility that, when fully operational, will become the largest automated container terminal on Earth. PSA also plans to extend the system to several other high-traffic ports worldwide, including Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Los Angeles, over the next 18 months.

The Persistent Problem of Port Congestion

Port congestion has long been a thorn in the side of global commerce. In peak seasons, vessels can be forced to anchor offshore for hours or even days, waiting for berths to become available. The ripple effects of these delays cascade throughout supply chains, causing late deliveries, stockouts in retail, production halts in manufacturing, and wasted fuel as ships idle offshore.

In 2022 alone, global shipping delays cost the logistics sector an estimated $30 billion in inefficiencies. Even with modern AI-driven scheduling systems, traditional port management tools hit a computational ceiling. The complexity of mega ports — where throughput exceeds 30 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually — overwhelms classical computing methods that must process millions of variables sequentially.

Why Quantum?

Quantum computing offers an entirely new approach to solving the optimization challenges of ports. Instead of processing scenarios one after another, quantum systems evaluate vast numbers of possibilities simultaneously.

The PSA-IonQ solution combines IonQ’s trapped-ion quantum processors with hybrid algorithms that split tasks between classical and quantum computers. The classical side ingests live data streams — from AIS (Automatic Identification System) ship tracking, IoT-enabled cranes and yard equipment, weather forecasts, customs clearance systems, and workforce availability schedules. This data is then fed into IonQ’s quantum engine, which evaluates millions of container movement and scheduling permutations in parallel.

The result: optimized berth allocations, crane deployment schedules, and container stacking strategies delivered in near real time.

As Dr. Helena Ong, PSA’s Chief Innovation Officer, explained, “Traditional systems can handle thousands of constraints, but not the dynamic complexity of a mega port. With quantum, we’re not chasing marginal gains — we’re completely reimagining how ports can operate at scale.”

Early Results: Quantifying the Gains

Initial simulations and pilot runs at Tuas Port delivered eye-catching results:

• 29% reduction in vessel berthing delays

• 21% increase in crane utilization efficiency

• 15% reduction in average container dwell time

These figures translate into both economic and environmental benefits. By reducing the hours ships spend idling offshore, the system cuts down on wasted fuel, saving carriers millions of dollars annually while lowering emissions.

At Tuas Port alone, the reductions could eliminate up to 1.5 million tons of CO₂ per year, advancing both Singapore’s and PSA’s sustainability goals.

A Strategic Shift for Global Supply Chains

Port congestion has long been more than a logistical nuisance — it’s a global risk factor. Events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Suez Canal blockage, and ongoing geopolitical tensions have underscored how fragile global supply chains can be when chokepoints are stressed.

By increasing throughput, reducing delays, and enabling dynamic reallocation of resources in real time, PSA’s quantum system provides an insurance policy against future shocks.

Industry observers note that this project is also a sign of Singapore’s ambition to remain at the cutting edge of logistics innovation. Tuas Port is already recognized as one of the world’s most advanced facilities, integrating robotics, AI, and green energy solutions. Adding quantum computing makes it a testbed for what the future of maritime trade could look like.

IonQ’s Expansion into Maritime Logistics

For IonQ, the partnership with PSA represents more than a technology deployment — it’s a strategic entry into a new industrial vertical.

Peter Chapman, CEO of IonQ, described the port environment as “a perfect storm of complexity — overlapping schedules, unpredictable delays, shifting priorities. It’s precisely the kind of challenge quantum is uniquely built to solve.”

IonQ has previously worked on quantum applications in finance, materials science, and machine learning, but maritime logistics may become one of its largest real-world deployments yet. With PSA’s scale — operating more than 60 terminals across 160 locations worldwide — the platform could eventually touch nearly every continent.

Global Expansion Plans

Beyond Singapore, PSA has confirmed plans to extend the system to Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Los Angeles by mid-2026. Talks are also underway with port authorities in Africa and South America, where smaller but rapidly growing ports may be able to leapfrog older scheduling technologies and adopt quantum-powered optimization directly.

This “leapfrogging” effect could be transformative. While mega ports often dominate discussions, smaller regional hubs handle a growing share of global trade. By adopting advanced systems early, they could integrate more smoothly into global shipping networks while avoiding some of the legacy inefficiencies that plague older facilities.

Environmental and Climate Impact

Maritime shipping accounts for nearly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, a figure projected to rise as global trade volumes increase. Any improvement in efficiency carries a direct environmental dividend.

By cutting idle vessel time, optimizing crane operations, and streamlining container flows, PSA’s system contributes to both cost savings and emissions reductions. The company estimates that, if adopted across its global network, the solution could cut up to 15 million tons of CO₂ emissions annually — equivalent to removing 3 million cars from the road.

Dr. Ong emphasized, “Quantum isn’t just about making ports faster or cheaper. It’s about aligning operations with our climate commitments. This is as much a sustainability project as it is a business one.”

Setting a New Standard

Industry analysts believe the PSA-IonQ collaboration could set a new operational benchmark for the world’s busiest ports. The top 50 global container ports, responsible for more than 80% of global container traffic, could save billions annually if similar systems were adopted.

If scaled successfully, this would represent one of the most significant real-world deployments of quantum technology in any industrial sector. It would also validate quantum’s promise beyond laboratories and financial simulations, showing tangible results in the physical flow of goods.

Looking Ahead

The rollout of quantum optimization at PSA International marks more than just a technological upgrade — it signals a turning point for the logistics industry. As supply chains become more interconnected and vulnerable, the ability to dynamically adapt in real time is no longer optional; it is essential.

By betting on quantum, PSA is not just solving today’s congestion problems but preparing for a future where trade volumes, climate pressures, and geopolitical uncertainties will demand unprecedented levels of resilience.

In a world where minutes of delay can cost millions, and inefficiencies ripple across entire economies, the marriage of quantum computing and port logistics may prove to be one of the most consequential innovations of the decade.