WiseTech Global, the developer of the leading logistics execution software CargoWise, announced that it has acquired Singeste – Sistemas de Informática, Lda (Singeste), a prominent IT solutions provider for the customs sector in Portugal.
According to a statement, founded in 1986 and headquartered in Seixal within the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, Singeste’s flagship solution, GIDWin, directly interfaces with Portugal’s Tax and Customs Authority to streamline and optimize customs processes for customs brokers and freight forwarders. Singeste’s clientele includes major international freight forwarders and shippers operating in Portugal, such as DHL, FedEx, UPS, MSC, and Expeditors.
Portugal boasts the fifth-highest container port throughput in Southern Europe, serving as a strategic gateway between Europe, Africa, and the Americas with its key ports in Lisbon and Porto. Traditionally known for exporting agricultural products, textiles, and clothing, Portugal is increasingly exporting technological equipment.
Its main export destinations include Spain, France, Germany, the US, and the UK, while its primary import sources are Spain, Germany, France, China, and the Netherlands.
“Singeste brings three decades of experience and technical expertise in meeting the customs needs of Portugal and the European Union that will become available as part of the CargoWise global customs solution,” stated Vlad Bilanovsky, Chief Execution Officer of WiseTech Global.
“This acquisition further confirms our relentless commitment to developing a truly global customs platform, the value of which is confirmed as more large global freight forwarders increase their use of our CargoWise global customs capability. With the addition of Portugal, our global customs system will cover more global manufactured trade flows, taking us closer to our 90% target,” added Bilanovsky.
Singeste’s operations will be integrated into the WiseTech Global group, with Pedro Bacelar continuing to lead the company. Singeste will maintain direct delivery of its solutions to its customers and gradually offer additional CargoWise solutions.
“By joining WiseTech Global we not only have the opportunity to make GIDWin available to CargoWise customers doing business in Portugal, our customers will also be able to access CargoWise’s customs and compliance capabilities in other countries, simplifying customs processing for international trade. We also look forward to offering other CargoWise modules to our customers over time. I’ve long had an ambition to develop customs compliance in multiple countries and am excited to work with the WiseTech team on this revolutionary global project,” explained Pedro Bacelar, CEO of Singeste.
