By Richie Lin

The hottest topic in the world, currently, must be the ChatGPT, a conversational AI language model developed by OpenAI. It is based on the GPT (Generative Pretrained Transformer) architecture and has been trained on a large corpus of text data to generate human-like responses to a wide range of topics. ChatGPT can understand and respond to questions, engage in small talk, provide information, and even generate creative writing. ChatGPT has transformed the online search engine such as Microsoft Bing and Google Chrome because it doesn’t just give you a bunch of websites for your reading but also provide summary of useful answers and advices to explore more. Many experts have predicted that ChatGPT will replace some part of jobs of journalists, teachers, lawyers, doctors if they are not complicated or need specific trainings. This trend will someday break into the logistics industry. Customers have been accustomed to surveying on the internet for logistics provider when they want to find out a new trade lane or begin bigger logistics projects such as overseas warehouses, distribution centers, reverse logistics. They would contact several service providers on the first or second pages of searched results and select the suitable providers to work with. However, ChatGPT will transform this process into another level because it will also provide condensed answers and guidance. Customer themselves can go deeper by asking ChatGPT to provide more and more information. They will never need to call forwarders to just get basic information. They can check on ChatGPT first, then get the guidance about how to survey a qualified service providers to fulfill their specific needs. After collecting data on hand, customers will have enough information to discuss and negotiate with forwarders. They would easily delete the forwarders which have limited knowledge and services because they have got enough research from ChatGPT. This is a solemn wake-up call for each forwarder in the world. Forwarders have no vessels, airplanes, trucks, warehouses to operate the shipments physically. What forwarders can compete with the ever-envolving AI is only to have all-around knowledge to combine different services into one total end to end solutions. Therefore, ChatGPT might not replace the roles of forwarders completely but will definitely outdate those which have limited ability and obsolete systems.

FCL market rate reference in week 7:

• Asia main ports to USAWC USD 1450~1800 per 40GP; 
• Asia main ports to USAEC and Gulf USD 2600~3000 per 40GP; 
• Asia main ports for IPI points of USA is USD 3800~5000 per 40GP. 
• Asia main ports to Europe base ports and West Mediterranean: USD 2000~3000 per 40GP.

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