FreightAmigo's Perspective: Freightos Goes Public, Signaling the Digital Revolution in Global Freight

Introduction: A Landmark Moment for Digital Freight

The freight industry is witnessing a significant milestone as Freightos, a leading global freight booking and payment platform, announces its plans to go public through a merger with Gesher I Acquisition Corp. This development marks a pivotal moment in the digitalization of the global freight industry, signaling a shift towards more transparent, efficient, and technologically advanced logistics solutions.

Key facts from this groundbreaking announcement include:

• Freightos will be listed on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol FROS
• The combined entity will have a pro forma enterprise value of approximately $435 million
• Freightos has experienced rapid growth with a 213% CAGR in gross booking value between 2019 Q1 and 2022 Q1
• The estimated total addressable market for digital freight is US$1.8 trillion in GBV by 2025

As we at FreightAmigo observe this development, we recognize its significance for the entire freight industry and what it means for the future of logistics technology.

The Digital Transformation of Global Freight

The Freightos announcement underscores the accelerating digital transformation within the global freight industry. As a Digital Logistics Platform ourselves, we at FreightAmigo have long recognized the potential for technology to revolutionize how freight is booked, managed, and tracked.

Freightos' success in connecting participants across the international freight ecosystem - including airlines, ocean liners, trucking companies, freight forwarders, and importers/exporters - through a digital platform demonstrates the industry's readiness to embrace technological solutions. This shift towards digitalization promises to bring much-needed efficiency and transparency to an industry that has traditionally relied on manual processes and opaque pricing structures.

The rapid adoption of digital platforms like Freightos and FreightAmigo is a response to the growing complexities of global supply chains. As businesses and consumers demand greater visibility, faster shipping times, and more competitive pricing, Digital Logistics Platforms are stepping up to meet these needs.

Implications for Freight Forwarders and Logistics Professionals

For freight forwarders and logistics professionals, the public listing of a major Digital Logistics Platform like Freightos carries several important implications:

1. Increased Investment in Freight Technology

Freightos going public is likely to attract more investment into the freight technology sector. This influx of capital could accelerate the development of new tools and features that make freight management more efficient and user-friendly. At FreightAmigo, we anticipate this will drive further innovation across the industry, benefiting all players in the logistics ecosystem.

2. Greater Adoption of Digital Solutions

As digital platforms gain more visibility and credibility in the public market, we expect to see increased adoption of these solutions among freight forwarders and shippers. This shift towards digital tools can help logistics professionals streamline their operations, reduce manual errors, and improve overall efficiency.

3. Enhanced Data Analytics and Insights

With more transactions moving to digital platforms, the industry will have access to richer data sets. This wealth of information can provide valuable insights into market trends, pricing dynamics, and capacity utilization. FreightAmigo's Digital Logistics Platform already leverages big data and AI to offer such insights, and we expect this trend to accelerate across the industry.

4. Pressure to Digitalize

As major players in the industry embrace digital solutions, there will be increasing pressure on all freight forwarders to adopt similar technologies to remain competitive. This may require some companies to invest in new systems or partner with Digital Logistics Platforms to keep pace with industry changes.

The Role of Digital Logistics Platforms in Addressing Industry Challenges

The success of platforms like Freightos and FreightAmigo highlights the crucial role that Digital Logistics Platforms play in addressing key challenges in the freight industry:

1. Improving Transparency and Pricing

Digital platforms provide real-time pricing information and comparisons, helping to create a more transparent market. This transparency benefits both shippers and carriers, leading to more competitive pricing and improved capacity utilization.

2. Streamlining Booking and Documentation

By digitizing the booking process and automating documentation, these platforms significantly reduce the time and effort required to arrange shipments. This efficiency is particularly valuable in today's fast-paced global trade environment.

3. Enhancing Visibility and Tracking

Digital Logistics Platforms offer real-time tracking and status updates, providing shippers and forwarders with greater visibility into their supply chains. This improved transparency helps in better planning and risk management.

4. Facilitating Data-Driven Decision Making

By collecting and analyzing vast amounts of data, these platforms can offer valuable insights and predictive analytics. This capability enables logistics professionals to make more informed decisions about routing, pricing, and capacity planning.

FreightAmigo's Perspective on the Future of Digital Freight

As a Digital Logistics Platform, we at FreightAmigo see the Freightos public listing as a validation of the industry's direction towards digitalization. We believe this trend will continue to accelerate, bringing numerous benefits to freight forwarders, shippers, and carriers alike.

Looking ahead, we anticipate several key developments in the digital freight landscape:

1. Integration of Advanced Technologies

We expect to see greater integration of technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain into Digital Logistics Platforms. These technologies will further enhance efficiency, security, and predictive capabilities in freight management.

2. Expansion of Digital Marketplaces

Digital freight marketplaces are likely to expand, offering a wider range of services and covering more shipping routes. This expansion will provide freight forwarders with greater flexibility and options in managing their shipments.

3. Focus on Sustainability

As environmental concerns become increasingly important, we anticipate that Digital Logistics Platforms will incorporate more features to help companies track and reduce their carbon footprint. FreightAmigo is already working on integrating such capabilities into our platform.

4. Enhanced Collaboration and Networking

Digital platforms will likely evolve to facilitate greater collaboration between different players in the logistics industry. This could lead to more efficient use of resources and improved service offerings.

Conclusion: Embracing the Digital Future of Freight

The public listing of Freightos marks a significant milestone in the digital transformation of the freight industry. As a fellow player in this space, FreightAmigo sees this development as a clear indication of the growing importance of Digital Logistics Platforms in shaping the future of global trade.

For freight forwarders and logistics professionals, this trend presents both opportunities and challenges. Those who embrace digital solutions and adapt to the changing landscape will be well-positioned to thrive in this new era of freight management.

At FreightAmigo, we remain committed to driving innovation in the logistics industry, providing our clients with cutting-edge Digital Logistics Solutions that address the complex challenges of modern supply chains. As the industry continues to evolve, we look forward to playing our part in shaping a more efficient, transparent, and sustainable future for global freight.

We encourage all logistics professionals to stay informed about these developments and consider how Digital Logistics Platforms can enhance their operations. The future of freight is digital, and the time to adapt is now.