Maersk and Xanadu Launch Quantum Maritime Routing Network to Combat Port Congestion

During the Global Maritime Summit in Singapore, Maersk—the world’s largest container shipping company—announced a strategic alliance with Toronto-based quantum computing company Xanadu. Together, the two firms are building the world’s first quantum-optimized maritime routing network, a system designed to tackle one of the shipping industry’s most stubborn and expensive problems: port congestion.

For decades, congestion at major global ports has cost shipping companies billions of dollars annually in demurrage fees, delayed cargo deliveries, and fuel waste. Traditional computational models struggle to handle the scale of global maritime logistics, which involves millions of containers, thousands of vessels, dynamic weather systems, fluctuating market conditions, and the coordination of over 800 active ports worldwide. The Maersk-Xanadu initiative aims to break this bottleneck using photonic quantum computing.

Xanadu’s flagship quantum device, the Borealis photonic quantum processor, lies at the heart of the collaboration. Unlike superconducting qubits, which require complex cryogenic environments to operate, photonic qubits use light particles, making them far easier to scale and deploy in cloud environments. This design allows Borealis to integrate directly into Maersk’s existing digital logistics platforms without the infrastructure burdens typical of other quantum technologies.

Maersk’s Chief Digital Officer, Ingrid Sørensen, emphasized the project’s strategic importance:

“Global trade has been throttled by congestion and inefficiencies. Quantum computing allows us to model and optimize scenarios in near real time, accounting for a web of variables too complex for classical systems to handle efficiently.”

The project’s initial scope focuses on two of the world’s busiest shipping corridors: the Asia–Europe route and the trans-Pacific lanes connecting China, Japan, and the United States. These lanes handle over 40% of global container traffic, and delays here ripple throughout the global supply chain. By applying quantum-enhanced optimization, Maersk aims to reduce congestion-driven costs, streamline vessel scheduling, and cut down on wasted fuel.

How the System Works

The network operates as a hybrid quantum-classical model. Classical algorithms handle the day-to-day logistics, while quantum subroutines are tasked with solving the most complex combinatorial challenges—such as dynamically rescheduling dozens of vessels approaching a single congested port, while factoring in weather patterns, tides, berth availability, and customs protocols.

These optimization problems, when modeled classically, can involve trillions of possible scenarios and often require hours or days to process. By contrast, Borealis can evaluate multiple interdependent variables in parallel, producing solutions in minutes. This speed opens the door to real-time course adjustments, enabling vessels to alter their trajectories mid-voyage to minimize idle waiting times outside ports.

Early simulation results underscore the system’s promise. Tests conducted on historical data from the Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s busiest seaport, demonstrated that the quantum-optimized system reduced average berth waiting times from 14 hours to just under 6 hours during a peak congestion week. For Maersk, this could mean saving tens of millions of dollars annually in demurrage fees alone.

Environmental and Economic Implications

Beyond financial gains, Maersk has emphasized the sustainability benefits of the initiative. Maritime shipping accounts for nearly 3% of global carbon emissions. Much of this pollution comes from vessels idling at anchor while awaiting port clearance. By minimizing waiting times and optimizing routing to reduce unnecessary detours, Maersk estimates that its quantum-enhanced system could reduce emissions by up to 9% across the targeted shipping lanes.

Sørensen noted:

“Every hour shaved off at anchor translates to both financial and environmental wins. This partnership represents not just an efficiency upgrade but a sustainability milestone.”

The project aligns with Maersk’s broader goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2040, a target that will require both technological innovation and operational restructuring. Quantum optimization, while still an emerging tool, offers a scalable pathway toward greener shipping practices.

Xanadu’s Role and the Photonic Edge

For Xanadu, the collaboration marks its most high-profile industry partnership to date. Founded in 2016, the company has rapidly become a leader in photonic quantum computing, emphasizing scalable and energy-efficient architectures. Unlike rivals such as IBM and Google, which rely heavily on superconducting qubits, Xanadu’s photonic approach requires fewer physical overheads and lends itself well to cloud-based deployments.

Christian Weedbrook, CEO of Xanadu, explained:

“With Borealis, we’re able to provide cloud-based quantum optimization that integrates directly with Maersk’s existing fleet management platforms. This makes it possible to deploy at scale without building specialized infrastructure.”

Weedbrook also highlighted the broader implications of the partnership: “Shipping is one of the last major industries to undergo digital transformation. By embedding quantum computation into Maersk’s logistics framework, we’re helping accelerate a sector-wide evolution.”

A Roadmap for Deployment

The Maersk-Xanadu partnership follows a structured three-year rollout plan:

• Q4 2025: Pilot trials on Asia–Europe routes, beginning with live port scheduling in Singapore and Rotterdam.

• 2026: Expansion to South American and African shipping corridors, focusing on ports in Santos, Durban, and Lagos.

• 2027: Full integration into Maersk’s global fleet, with quantum optimization embedded in 70% of vessel routing operations.

During this rollout, Maersk and Xanadu plan to co-develop integration gateways to ensure interoperability with port authorities, customs agencies, and insurance providers. The long-term vision is to create a shared quantum maritime platform that multiple industry stakeholders can use collaboratively.

Industry Response

Experts across logistics and quantum computing see the announcement as a watershed moment. Professor Lina Hartmann, a supply chain technology specialist at the University of Hamburg, remarked:

“This is a bold signal that quantum logistics is no longer a speculative trend—it’s entering the operational mainstream. If Maersk succeeds, other global carriers will have no choice but to follow.”

Industry analysts also note the competitive ripple effects. Companies such as CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, and COSCO are expected to accelerate their digital transformation strategies in response to Maersk’s move. Insurers and freight forwarders, too, may soon demand integration with quantum-enhanced scheduling systems to ensure transparency and reduce risks.

Challenges Ahead

Despite its promise, the project faces hurdles. Scaling quantum systems for global logistics remains technically challenging, particularly as shipping routes span thousands of kilometers and involve complex legal and infrastructural coordination. Furthermore, integration with legacy IT systems at ports—many of which rely on decades-old software—will require careful adaptation.

Cybersecurity is another concern. While quantum algorithms provide optimization advantages, they also introduce new attack surfaces. Maersk and Xanadu have confirmed that all systems will operate under quantum-secure encryption, including quantum key distribution protocols.

The Bigger Picture

The Maersk-Xanadu initiative illustrates a broader trend: the convergence of quantum computing, AI, and advanced communications as the backbone of global trade. For an industry historically slow to adopt cutting-edge digital tools, shipping is now entering a new era where quantum-enhanced decision-making could become the standard.

If successful, the project won’t just reduce congestion at a handful of ports—it could reshape the arteries of global commerce, creating a shipping industry that is more efficient, resilient, and environmentally sustainable.

As Sørensen concluded in Singapore:

“We are not just building a tool for Maersk. We are building the foundation of a new digital ocean, one where vessels move with precision, ports operate with foresight, and global trade flows with greater certainty.”

The partnership between Maersk and Xanadu marks a turning point in maritime logistics. By embedding quantum computation into one of the world’s most complex logistical networks, Maersk is betting that faster, smarter routing can unlock the next generation of global trade.