WiseTech CEO Outlines CargoWise AI Shift and TMS Future

WiseTech Global aims to transform its CargoWise software from a freight forwarding record-keeper into an artificial intelligence system that executes tasks. CEO Zubin Appoo told The Loadstar the company now describes CargoWise Next as a "system of execution or a system of intelligence."

This shift combines customer data, WiseTech's proprietary industry datasets, AI agents, and automated workflows. The goal is for the software to decide and act on the next steps in a shipment, moving value from the transaction layer to the decision-making layer.

AI Agents Automate Forwarding Tasks

Operational details of this AI push are emerging. WiseTech introduced four agentic AI capabilities with its CargoWise Value Packs and has since added two more, with another two described as imminent.

One key agent is SARA, the Smart Auto Request Agent. It handles communication between forwarders and their customers by examining emails and documents, identifying missing information, and requesting clarifications automatically. "The smart auto request agent takes humans out of that process entirely," Appoo said.

An auto job creation agent will follow. This agent can register a job in CargoWise Next, ingest electronic documents and invoice lines, and initiate processes like AI-assisted classification once information is gathered.

Targeting Efficiency and New Revenue

WiseTech is targeting up to 50% labor cost savings for logistics providers through AI and automation. Appoo declined to specify how much of that saving is achievable today but stated, "We have made solid progress on that since we’ve built our agents." He said decisions on cutting staff or redeploying them are for individual customers.

The company also plans to monetize these AI capabilities. Appoo linked this to forecast revenue growth of 12%-20% in FY27, citing "monetising agentic AI capability." This strategy underpins the move from seat-based licensing to the transaction-linked Value Pack pricing model.

Limits of Autonomy and Regulatory Caution

Despite the push for automation, Appoo acknowledged limits, especially concerning regulatory risk. He stated that forwarders or brokers would ultimately carry liability if a CargoWise AI agent made an incorrect compliance decision.

This is why classification tools are described as AI "assistants," where AI does the legwork but a human operator reviews and approves. The heavily regulated nature of logistics also makes WiseTech cautious about simply releasing more agents. "It’s not only about saying to the market we’ve now got 18 agents or 29 agents." Appoo explained.

Competitive Landscape and Expansion

Appoo dismissed the idea that AI lowers barriers for new competitors to challenge established Transport Management Systems like CargoWise. He argued CargoWise's biggest competitors are in-house legacy systems used by large forwarders, not new AI-native platforms.

"I don’t subscribe to the view that AI is a threat to us." he said. He cited the platform's integrations with about 400 airlines, 160 shipping lines, and major railroads and customs authorities as a competitive advantage built on commercial relationships and domain expertise.

WiseTech's scope is expanding beyond CargoWise. The $2.1 billion acquisition of e2open last year extended its reach to manufacturers, retailers, and shippers. The company's FY26 results outline an ambition to build a "mission-critical operating system" spanning five markets: logistics and transport; connected supply chain orchestration; trade finance and banking; customs and government; and verified identity, trust and data.

Appoo rejected the suggestion that this expansion pits WiseTech against its forwarder customers, insisting the strategy is not about disintermediation. "E2open is a market or a TAM expansion for us, but it doesn’t change our very deep and very loyal, I think, focus on logistics service providers," he said.

Acquisitions remain part of the strategy. In July, WiseTech acquired supply chain compliance provider FRDM.ai for up to $24.3 million to bolster its VerifyWise product. Appoo said integrating e2open is a multi-year process but ruled out moving away from mergers and acquisitions. The stated ambition is for WiseTech to become the "operating system for global trade and logistics."