June 27, 2025
For companies moving goods across the country or around the globe, logistics is the engine that keeps everything running. From ports and warehouses to trucks and distribution centers, success depends on making the right decisions at the right time. However, as supply chains become increasingly complex, traditional systems are reaching their limits.
Quantum technologies are beginning to change that.
In South Carolina, home to the Port of Charleston, one of the busiest and most productive container ports in the U.S., the logistics industry is already a major driver of economic growth. Now, it stands to gain even more from tools that promise faster insights, more accurate predictions, and smarter optimization across every link in the chain.
Where Quantum Adds Value
Unlike classical computers that process one scenario at a time, quantum systems can explore many possible solutions at once. That makes them especially useful for problems with lots of variables and constraints, exactly the kind of challenges logistics companies deal with every day.
Here are a few areas where quantum is starting to deliver value:
- Route Optimization: Quantum algorithms can analyze huge datasets to find the most efficient delivery routes, even when conditions change in real time. In a joint effort with IBM, a major vehicle manufacturer used quantum-assisted tools to optimize 1,200 daily deliveries across New York City, cutting fuel use and travel time.
- Cargo Loading: Quantum systems help solve the "packing problem" more effectively than traditional software, enabling better cargo placement to maximize space and comply with safety and weight requirements.
- Supply Chain Management: From inventory levels to distribution timing, quantum models support smarter planning and faster responses to shifts in demand or disruptions.
- Energy Efficiency: Better routing and scheduling don’t just save time. They reduce emissions, cut fuel costs, and support sustainability goals across the logistics industry.
- Demand Forecasting: By combining machine learning with quantum-enhanced computing, companies can model customer behavior more accurately and adjust operations ahead of time.
These aren’t speculative examples. Pilot programs and research collaborations are already proving that quantum can help improve efficiency and lower costs in real-world logistics operations.
Why Quantum Matters in South Carolina
The logistics sector in South Carolina has been expanding rapidly, driven in part by population growth, rising demand for goods, and the state’s strategic location in the Southeastern U.S. The Port of Charleston continues to rank among the top ports in the nation for container productivity and speed. With more people and more freight moving through the region, the systems that support transportation and distribution are under pressure to perform better than ever.
Quantum technologies offer a way to meet that demand. According to a recent study from the University of South Carolina, the adoption of quantum tools across logistics and manufacturing could add up to $8.5 billion in new annual economic output for the state, supporting more than 19,000 jobs. That’s because quantum-enabled companies can operate more efficiently, make better use of resources, and adapt faster to change.
In an industry already dealing with labor shortages and shifting consumer expectations, quantum solutions provide an edge not just for companies, but for the entire economy.
“South Carolina’s economic growth is largely driven by industries that would disproportionately benefit from the use of quantum technologies... As such, investments in quantum technologies within South Carolina would likely generate relatively higher economic returns compared to many other states.”
– Dr. Joseph Von Nessen, University of South Carolina
For Leaders Ready to Explore Quantum
If you’re leading or supporting an advanced manufacturing firm, here are three places to start:
- Identify a Pilot Use Case
Pick a challenge you already track, like delivery routing, fuel use, or warehouse scheduling, and explore how quantum models could improve outcomes. - Connect with Quantum-Capable Talent
Reach out to ecosystem partners like SC Quantum, or university programs training the next generation of quantum-aware engineers and developers. - Check Your Readiness
Many quantum tools work alongside existing AI, cloud, and simulation platforms. Assessing your current systems is a good way to get started.
Looking Ahead
Quantum technology isn’t a replacement for the tools logistics companies already use. It’s an extension of what’s possible, helping solve problems that have grown too complex for traditional computing.
For South Carolina’s logistics industry, the opportunity is to stay ahead by starting small. Pilot projects, research partnerships, and upskilling efforts today will build the expertise needed to compete tomorrow.
Quantum is already reshaping logistics. And South Carolina is well positioned to lead.
Interested in applying these ideas or exploring partnerships? Contact SC Quantum.
Dave Alsobrooks
Communications Director, SC Quantum
dalsobrooks@scquantum.org