TransiT researcher addresses world’s first quantum maritime conference

The world’s first quantum maritime conference was addressed by an expert in port optimisation systems from TransiT.

Dr Siti Fariya, a transport and logistics researcher with a background in maritime operations, simulation modelling and quantum technologies, was invited to speak at the Quantum Maritime Conference 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, last week.

The conference was an excellent opportunity to connect with port and logistic authorities exploring these technologies.

Dr Siti Fariya

The event explored how the maritime industry can use quantum technologies to transform its operations in areas including security, sustainability, simulation and standards.  It featured more than 40 speakers, including a Nobel Prize laureate and leading figures from the global quantum industry.

Quantum technology involves harnessing the physics of quantum particles of light and matter to develop ultra-high-performance applications, including more powerful computing, unconditionally secure communications and more reliable navigation systems.

Dr Fariya explained: “My talk, ‘Quantum Optimisation for Sustainable and Efficient Port Operations’, discussed how quantum technologies can enhance decision-making and sustainability in complex logistics systems. It highlighted practical applications of hybrid quantum-classical optimisation in managing port congestion and operations and explored how combining digital twins with QUBO-based optimisation can enable real-time, adaptive solutions across multimodal freight networks.”

QUBO stands for Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization and is a mathematical model used to solve complex optimisation problems.

Dr Fariya’s presentation built on her previous experience leading the Quantum Technology Access Program (QTAP) Digital Catapult Port of Dover project, where quantum-inspired optimisation was applied to port operations.

As well as delivering a technical talk, Dr Fariya also chaired a panel on quantum hardware, featuring speakers from technology company IBM, University of Oxford spin-out, Quantum Dice, and Australian quantum technology company Quantum Brilliance, who shared valuable insights on the future pathways of quantum hardware.

“The conference was an excellent opportunity to connect with port and logistic authorities exploring these technologies and to position TransiT’s digital twin work for near future quantum applications,” Dr Fariya added.

TransiT is a national research hub focused on using digital twins to rapidly decarbonise transport in the UK, including road, rail, air and maritime, across both passenger and freight.

Digital twins are digital replicas of the physical world, created using data collected from the physical world in real time. They allow different scenarios to be simulated and tested much faster and more affordably than would be possible in the real world.

Dr Fariya said: “TransiT’s aim is to use digital twins to simulate and optimise the whole UK transport system. Quantum technologies will deliver speed and scalability to the digital twin, so it can deliver solutions quickly in the future.”

The Quantum Maritime Conference 2025 was organized and hosted by Vernewell Group Inc. and Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy (ADMA), the region’s leading academic institution for mariners and an integral part of AD Ports Group, a global port, maritime and logistics group based in Abu Dhabi.