Australia’s competition regulator executed a search warrant at WiseTech Global, the CargoWise owner. The business disclosed the action Wednesday through an Australian Securities Exchange filing. Investigators sought documents and electronic data concerning global logistics services and software. WiseTech pledged full cooperation with the inquiry. After WiseTech issued the filing, the ACCC confirmed to FreightWaves that it executed a search warrant at the company’s premises. The regulator described the investigation as ongoing and declined further comment.
The filing describes an investigation into possible Competition and Consumer Act 2010 violations. The ACCC enforces Australian rules governing markets, fair trading and consumer protections. A warrant lets investigators collect records while examining potential breaches. It does not establish that a company broke the law.
WiseTech builds technology used by freight forwarders, customs brokers, carriers, importers, exporters and shippers. Its latest profile identifies more than 20,000 logistics companies and industry participants across 193 countries. That reach includes 24 of the 25 largest global freight forwarders. The customer base also covers 47 of the 50 largest third-party logistics providers. The e2open acquisition expanded its network to more than 500,000 connected enterprises.
Earlier ACCC review led to software divestiture
WiseTech faced a separate ACCC enforcement review after its 2025 e2open purchase. The acquisition gave it control over Expedient, which competed with CargoWise in Australia and New Zealand. That transaction closed before the ACCC completed its review. Australia’s former merger process did not require advance regulatory approval.
In January, the ACCC accepted a court-enforceable undertaking requiring Expedient’s sale. “WiseTech already has substantial market power in the supply of logistics software,” Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb stated. The regulator also received significant concerns from platform users. It warned of higher prices or reduced service quality without a divestiture.
The undertaking required sale to an ACCC-approved purchaser. Regulators wanted that buyer to operate Expedient as a viable, independent competitor. The commission described the arrangement as resolving its earlier enforcement matter. Wednesday’s filing does not connect the new warrant to that agreement.
New warrant leaves key questions unanswered
WiseTech’s current disclosure uses broad language and identifies no affected product, transaction, customer, contract or business division. The document does not name e2open, Expedient or CargoWise as the investigation’s focus. Neither party has publicly explained which records investigators requested. Officials also have not described possible outcomes or timing.
The company’s shares closed 8.7% lower at A$39.58 in Sydney following the announcement, Reuters reported. That price marked the stock’s weakest level in nearly two weeks. The decline also marked its steepest single-day loss since late June. FreightWaves contacted WiseTech for comment regarding the warrant, its scope and the investigation’s status. The company had not responded before publication. FreightWaves will update this article if WiseTech responds.
Why It Matters
Freight companies rely on software for customs entries, shipment data, carrier workflows and customer operations. A competition investigation involving a major provider can affect pricing, service quality and available options.
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