Quantum Maritime Research Competition 2025
Orchestrated by Vernewell In Collaboration with Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy | Powered by Abu Dhabi Ports Group
Pioneering Quantum Breakthroughs in Maritime Operations The Quantum Maritime Research Competition 2025 invites visionary academic teams
The Quantum Maritime Research Competition 2025 invites visionary academic teams, research institutions, and startups to address pressing maritime optimisation challenges using gate-model quantum computing and hybrid AI-quantum approaches. Held under the banner of the Quantum Maritime Conference in Abu Dhabi, the competition seeks to accelerate the practical deployment of quantum-powered models in one of the world’s most strategic logistics corridors.
Participants will develop applied solutions to complex maritime operations problems, such as fuel-efficient route planning, cargo stacking optimisation, and berth scheduling, simulated in quantum environments under realistic operational constraints. The winning team will be invited to pilot their system within Abu Dhabi Ports infrastructure, with the potential to scale across a global maritime network.
Disclaimer for External Platform
Please Note: Registration and participation for the Quantum Maritime Conference 2025 Challenges and Competitions are managed on an external platform: vernewell.agorize-platform.com.
By clicking to register or submit, you will be redirected to vernewell.agorize-platform.com. This platform is used exclusively to handle the competition process, including applications, submissions, and judging.
Vernewell Group and the Quantum Maritime Conference are not responsible for the content, security, or privacy practices of external platforms. We encourage all participants to review the terms of use and privacy policy of vernewell.agorize-platform.com before proceeding.
Ai Partner
Competition Objectives
Activate global academic and scientific talent to solve operational challenges in the maritime domain
Bridge quantum research and applied infrastructure deployment
Advance sovereign innovation aligned with UAE national priorities in trade, energy, and logistics resilience
Create pathways for piloting and scaling quantum-powered solutions within the UAE
Activate global academic and scientific talent to solve operational challenges in the maritime domain
Bridge quantum research and applied infrastructure deployment
Advance sovereign innovation aligned with UAE national priorities in trade, energy, and logistics resilience
Create pathways for piloting and scaling quantum-powered solutions within the UAE
Focus Areas
Vessel Route Optimisation
Design algorithms that improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions for a vessel route.
Berth and Equipment Scheduling
Use quantum combinatorial optimisation to streamline crane assignments, reduce idle times, and improve quay-side asset utilisation.
Port Energy Forecasting
Develop quantum models that enhance predictive accuracy for energy demand management, particularly with shore power integration.
Secure Crew Assignment
Vessel Route Optimisation
Design algorithms that improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions for a vessel route.
Berth and Equipment Scheduling
Use quantum combinatorial optimisation to streamline crane assignments, reduce idle times, and improve quay-side asset utilisation.
Port Energy Forecasting
Develop quantum models that enhance predictive accuracy for energy demand management, particularly with shore power integration.
Secure Crew Assignment
Evaluation Metrics
Operational Relevance
Addressing clearly defined maritime challenges with measurable impact
Quantum Innovation
Demonstrating novel or improved performance over classical methods
Scalability
Feasibility
Sustainability
Competition Phases
Global Launch
Proposal Submission
Review & Shortlisting
Final Presentation
Pilot Opportunity
Awards and Incentives
- Opportunity to pilot the winning system with Abu Dhabi Ports and Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy
- On-site and global recognition during Quantum Maritime Conference
- Visibility to government stakeholders, Investors, and infrastructure integrators
- Press Coverage and access to Vernewell’s innovation ecosystem
Terms and Conditions
- Eligibility
Open to university teams, research labs, and startups working in quantum or hybrid AI-quantum systems. Registration via the official platform is required. - Submission Criteria
Proposals must address specified maritime use cases and include:
- Quantum or hybrid technical approach
- Feasibility analysis
- Defined KPIs
- Simulation scenarios (if applicable)
Submissions must not violate third-party IP rights.
- Intellectual Property and Data Use
- Participants retain ownership of their submitted intellectual property.
- All data used for simulations or demonstrations must be generated, sourced, or simulated independently by the participants.
- If any interaction with third-party or sensitive datasets is proposed, participants must ensure full compliance with applicable data privacy and security standards.
- Confidentiality agreements may be requested by either party as needed to safeguard proprietary exchanges during proposal or evaluation phases.
- Evaluation and Award Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated by a panel based on:
- Technical innovation
- Strategic alignment
- Feasibility and scalability
- Defined KPIs and outcomes
Only proposals exceeding peers in value may proceed to contract discussions with Abu Dhabi Ports.
- Contracting and Follow-Up
- Selected teams may negotiate pilot agreements post-conference.
- Terms of execution are to be agreed upon bilaterally.
- Participation does not imply contract entitlement.
- Confidentiality
NDAs may be requested at any time if deemed necessary by either party for data or prototype sharing. - Liability
VMC and ADMA bear no liability for losses or claims arising from participation. Participants indemnify the organizers from IP or data-related disputes. - Provisions
- Organizers may modify the competition.
- False submissions may result in disqualification.
- No license or partnership is implied unless formally agreed.
- Acceptance
Submission constitutes full acceptance of these terms.