Shares of WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX:WTC) advanced in after-hours trading on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, closing at A$50.59, a gain of A$1.29 or 2.6%. The move followed an announcement from the logistics software provider regarding a new strategic pilot program with global shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd. The initiative will focus on integrating Internet-of-Things (IoT) based container tracking data directly into WiseTech's flagship CargoWise platform.
Strategic Partnership Amid Sector Repricing
The announcement arrives during a period of significant investor reassessment for software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies. The sector has recently experienced a sharp sell-off, driven in part by concerns that emerging "agentic" artificial intelligence tools—software capable of autonomously executing tasks across different applications—could erode the competitive moats of established incumbents like WiseTech. However, analysis from Macquarie, cited by financial news service FNArena, suggests market fears regarding AI-driven disruption to WiseTech's business model may be overstated.
This sentiment provided a tailwind for technology shares more broadly during the session. While Australia's benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index edged down 0.03% to finish at 8,867 points, the technology sector demonstrated relative resilience. The ASX 200 information technology sector had previously plummeted over 44% from its September 2025 peak to last Friday's low before attracting dip-buyers. This recovery was encouraged by a second consecutive day of gains for the US Nasdaq 100 index.
Broader Tech Rally and Pilot Details
The upward momentum was not isolated to WiseTech. Other prominent Australian technology firms, including NextDC, Xero, Life360, and Technology One, also traded higher around midday, contributing to a tech index advance of approximately 2%.
The core of the new partnership involves a trial that will funnel frequent, real-time location updates from Hapag-Lloyd's fleet of over 2 million containers—equipped with IoT sensors—into the CargoWise ecosystem. WiseTech CEO Zubin Appoo highlighted the industry's historical reliance on "discrete and often inaccurate event updates." Karsten Schmidt of Hapag-Lloyd emphasized that modern logistics customers demand "actionable predictive insights rather than just dots on a map." The companies claim their collaborative "Live ETA" (estimated-time-of-arrival) tool can improve delivery-time accuracy by a substantial 75% for shipments Hapag-Lloyd manages on an end-to-end basis.
Company Context and Market Volatility
WiseTech develops critical software used by logistics providers worldwide to manage complex freight forwarding and customs compliance workflows. The stock has been characterized by high volatility during the recent market recalibration of technology valuations. Despite Tuesday's gain, WiseTech shares remain down roughly 10% over the past week and are trading significantly below their levels from one year ago.
It is important to note that the Hapag-Lloyd initiative is currently a pilot program. Translating such trials into meaningful, recurring revenue streams typically requires time. Should customer adoption prove slower than anticipated, or if company management adopts a cautious tone regarding the financial outlook in future updates, the recent share price rebound could prove fleeting.
Focus Shifts to Upcoming Financial Results
The next significant catalyst for WiseTech is scheduled for February 25, when the company is set to release its half-year financial results. Investors will scrutinize the report and accompanying commentary for key insights into underlying demand trends, cost management, and the potential for new data-centric products—like the Hapag-Lloyd IoT integration—to scale beyond the pilot phase and contribute materially to future growth. The market's reaction to these results will likely provide a clearer indication of whether the positive sentiment from this partnership can be sustained.
