ION Commodities Reshapes Global Supply Chains With Softmar
ION Commodities is relaunching Softmar as a SaaS platform, addressing freight management realities.
In recent years, global trading has experienced major turbulence as a result of worldwide disruptions including Covid-19, Ukraine-Russia conflict, US tariff rises and the increase in extreme weather.
Due to these uncertainties, freight management has been affected, demonstrating the need for resilient supply chain operations and logistics.
ION solutions
ION is a software development company which delivers workflow automation software to businesses around the world.
It designs solutions to financial institutions, corporations, central banks and governments, helping improve decision making, simplify complex processes and empower businesses.
Through its automation expertise and consistent investments into research and development, ION is helping businesses around the world with their supply chain transformation.
Its solutions boost efficiency across businesses and help ensure their success with constant innovation.
ION Commodities delivers data-driven energy and commodities trading and risk management solutions across the supply chain.
Clients are equipped with real-time risk analytics and reporting, with help minimising supply chain risks.
With a global community of more than 1,200 clients, ION Commodities has a thorough understanding of procurement, supply and trading in order to provide full transparency.
With the relaunch of its SaaS platform Softmar, ION is expanding its network into freight management.
Supply chain risk
Current geopolitical tensions are causing a series of risks within freight markets, making it more difficult and more expensive to run or rely on freight.
Rising volatility between regions, increased sanctions and extreme weather from climate change are meaning that freight markets are having to adapt to the changing climate.
In order to manage geopolitical issues, tougher emissions and regulatory rules are being put in place, which are redefining freight markets.
Traders are grappling with higher costs and compliance obligations, which results in shopping around or changing who they're trading to.
With the uncertainty surrounding tariffs throughout 2025 as a result of US President Donald Trump's Tariffs, many companies have been making significant changes to their customer base and cutting down reliance on specific countries.
As a result of ever-changing regulations, freight companies have had to remain adaptable, as the freight industry plays a vital role in global supply chains.
Those firms which rely on spreadsheets, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems or static models are leaving themselves open to vulnerability, underestimating how strongly they'll be affected by global risk.
The Softmar result
Softmar addresses these risks by looking at chartering, voyage management and freight risk management as a holistic system.
It unifies these issues across dry bulk, liquids and gas commodities in a single solution, rather than allowing freight companies to have their resources spread out.
With the introduction of Profit-at-Risk (PaR) analytics, illiquid freight markets have a more accurate, forward-looking view of freight risk.
The new Softmar solution includes carbon tracking, which allows companies to monitor and manage environmental costs, meaning they can create the most efficient, cost-effective and sustainable supply chain.
Full end-to-end supply chain visibility can be ensured by integrating freight activity with ION's Commodity Trading and Risk Management (CTRM) solutions, which results in better risk control and more efficient decision making.
"Softmar's relaunch coincides with a fundamental shift in how freight must now be managed," says 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."
With the enhanced solution, Softmar can meet the demands of today's ever-changing market.
Teams can now:
- Estimate freight rates and run risk scenarios
- Capture contract optionality such as laytime terms
- Measure risk with market-to-market analytics
- Manage voyages with a multilingual interface
- Integrate with ERPs and other systems
Through using the single Softmar platform, firms can make the best trading decisions, protect margins, manage emissions exposure and ensure compliance across the supply chain.