Milestone reached on quantum tug-scheduling program

Fairplay Towage and Fraunhofer CML have reached their first achievement point in developing a program using quantum computing to improve tugboat scheduling in the Port of Hamburg.

They are using Soft Park software to improve planning and speed through realistic modelling and analytical algorithms to lower fuel consumption and reduce port delays.

Tug dispatch in a busy port is complex, and is influenced by components including the location of tugboats and arriving ships, weather and sea conditions, other harbour activities and ship turnaround at terminals.

“After six months of intensive work, we have created the basis for an optimised allocation of tugs to requirements, taking into account economic, technical and ecological factors,” said Fraunhofer CML in a social media update.

The project team has defined the relevant parameters such as the number of tugs, crew deployment and technical requirements of those tugs, including length, draught and bollard pull.

It has also set considerations for crew rest periods and tugboat maintenance times for realistic modelling, and prepared the quantum computing algorithms to help dispatchers plan tug fleet schedules.

Future work will include ensuring the scheduling model “remains close to reality and at the same time offers real added value for decision-making,” said Fraunhofer CML.

“We are excited about the next steps and look forward to advancing maritime logistics with state-of-the-art technology.”

The project is funded by Investitions and Forderank Hamburg and supported by the Port of Hamburg.