ESL Shipping has launched a multi-year Smart Fleet Optimisation research and development project to improve its fleet-level planning and decision-making, including an exploration of quantum computing applications for shipping operations.
Partially funded by Business Finland, the project aims to address operational challenges arising from managing cargo flows, capacity constraints, emissions, and commercial priorities simultaneously. By combining operational data, prioritisation models, and new approaches to pricing and information sharing, the initiative aims to explore how emerging computational methods can support decision-making.
“Fleet optimisation in tramp trade shipping is highly complex with many variables that change dynamically. Our goal is to understand how far advanced and emerging optimisation methods can meaningfully support operational planning and emission reductions,” said Kirsi Ylärinne, Environment & Sustainability Director at ESL Shipping.
“Quantum computing offers long-term potential for solving highly complex optimisation challenges in shipping. With Business Finland funding, we can investigate these possibilities in a structured and realistic way, closely connected to our operational needs.”
The shipping company has partnered with QMill Oy to assess the suitability of quantum computing for complex fleet problems using real operational data. This partnership will incorporate data modelling, validation, and collaboration between technical specialists and business stakeholders.
“ESL Shipping’s use case is a particularly compelling optimisation challenge,” said Ville Kotovirta, Chief Technology Officer at QMill Oy.
“By integrating QMill’s quantum-classical hybrid optimisation algorithms with ESL Shipping’s operational data, we can deliver real business value already today, while unlocking greater value as quantum hardware matures. This hybrid approach, which bridges classical and quantum computing, is pioneering within the field.”
