ION Commodities, a global leader in energy and commodity management solutions, is relaunching Softmar as a SaaS platform, expanding beyond chartering and operations to address the new realities of freight management.

Volatility, sanctions, and tougher emissions and regulatory rules are redefining freight markets. Rate swings are squeezing shipowners’ margins, while traders grapple with rising costs and compliance obligations. This unpredictability has amplified freight’s role, making it one of the most critical variables in global commodity supply chains. Firms relying on spreadsheets, ERP systems, or static models often underestimate their exposure — leaving them vulnerable to losses and compliance failures.

Softmar addresses these challenges by unifying chartering, voyage management, and freight risk management across dry bulk, liquids, and gas commodities in a single solution. A key enhancement is the introduction of Profit-at-Risk (PaR) analytics, designed specifically for illiquid freight markets to provide a more accurate, forward-looking view of freight exposure. The enhanced Softmar solution also adds carbon emissions tracking, enabling companies to monitor and manage environmental costs. Softmar can integrate freight activity with ION’s Commodity Trading and Risk Management (CTRM) solutions, ensuring end-to-end supply chain visibility resulting in improved decision making and better risk control.

Softmar continues to support chartering and vessel operations — but now goes further to meet the demands of today’s market. Teams can estimate freight rates quickly and run scenarios; capture contract optionality (including laytime terms and risk parameters); quantify risk across physical and derivatives freight with advanced mark-to-market analytics; manage voyages via a mobile-ready, multilingual interface; and integrate with ERPs and other systems. By consolidating operations and risk oversight in a single platform, firms can make better trading decisions, manage emissions exposure, protect margins, and ensure compliance.

“Softmar’s relaunch coincides with a fundamental shift in how freight must now be managed,” said Sunil Biswas, CEO at ION Corporates. “Freight management is no longer just about fixing vessels or managing risk in isolation. It now impacts profitability, compliance, and overall business performance. Softmar gives companies the clarity and control they need to protect margins and remain competitive in an increasingly complex market.”
Source: ION Commodities