Theme: Digitalisation 
Industry Adoption: ⚫ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ Early Stage 
Impact: ⚫ ⚪ ⚪ Moderate 

Quantum computing leverages quantum mechanics to process data using qubits¹ , offering exponentially faster solutions to complex problems, compared to classical computing. This innovation enables unprecedented levels of analysis, planning, and steering, particularly for data-intensive challenges in logistics. By 2050, quantum applications in vehicle routing, predictive analytics, and network optimisation could create value ranging between 50 billion and 100 billion USD.

The trend remains in the early stage of adoption, with limited commercial implementation. Key concepts and technologies are well-explored, but current applications in logistics focus on niche use-cases like real-time network planning. While potentially revolutionary for these tasks, the overall industry impact is expected to be modest due to the limited scalability of applications. Startup activity in this space is negligible, and scientific publications are similarly low, totalling around 50. Patent filings however are moderate, with about 400 recorded between 2019 and 2023. Remarkably, half of these are groundbreaking – a figure that is exceptionally high and underscores the potentially disruptive innovative power of this trend. Mentions in C-Suite discussions have decreased, from 10 in 2022 to 5 in 2024, reflecting the lengthy timeline for realisation. While the trend remains in the early stage for an extended period, experts assume that a technological breakthrough enabling widespread industry utilisation, will lead to accelerated industry adoption and increased business engagement. Therefore, quantum computing is a trend that businesses should keep on their watch list.

What are the opportunities? 

Quantum computing holds promise for solving highly complex logistics challenges, such as real-time routing optimisation. These capabilities could streamline operations and enhance decision-making where traditional computing falls short. 

What are the challenges? 

Quantum technology remains too slow for real-time logistics optimisation, with currently available hardware requiring extended periods to process complex tasks. Additionally, algorithm development faces hurdles, as existing systems struggle to address the scale and complexity of logistics requirements.

Sources: 

• Statista (2022). 
• Survey among 500+ global logistics decision makers across various industries, conducted by Statista for Maersk (Q4 2024). 
• In-depth interviews with global industry experts, academia, and futurists.
• Unstructured web sources with more than 10,000 search term permutations using AI. 
• Curated data from startup databases, patent databases, and analysis tools, as well as Semantic Scholar. 

What are qubits?  Quantum computing leverages quantum mechanics to process data using qubits, the basic unit of information used to encode data in quantum computing, offering exponentially faster solutions to complex problems, compared to classical computing.