Into the Futures: The commodity derivatives podcast brought to you by Freight Investor Services

In this episode, we are joined by our Senior Analyst in Shanghai, Hao Pei, to discuss the key developments in the iron ore and coking coal markets during the first half of the year. We explore the factors that have driven price movements, demand and supply dynamics, and the impact of broader market trends. Looking ahead, Hao also shares his views on the key risks, opportunities and themes likely t...

In this episode, we are joined by Robert Fig, a leading voice in the metals risk management sector, to explore the forces reshaping commodity markets in 2026. Robert shares his insights on a wide range of topics, from the conflict in the middle east to metals supply shocks, demand growth, geopolitical risks and the strategies companies can use to navigate an increasingly complex and volatile globa...

Technical analysis is a method used to forecast price movements based on historical market data, such as prices and trading volumes. With origins dating back to the 17th century, it has long been used to identify market trends and support investment decisions. In today’s episode, Ed Hutton explains what technical analysis is, explores its history, discusses the importance of using candlestick char...

Ammonia is quickly moving back into focus—not just as a fertiliser feedstock, but as a key link between energy, shipping, and the transition to lower-carbon fuels. But while the long-term story is about green ammonia, the short-term reality is being shaped by geopolitics, gas markets, and logistics disruptions. So what’s actually driving prices today? How is the Middle East situation feeding throu...

The ongoing crisis in the Middle East has brought shipping back into sharp focus. From the future path of energy prices to the flow of grains through key chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz, uncertainty is driving renewed attention across global markets. It’s in moments like these that having a privileged point of view, what you might call a view from the engine room, can help us interpret what’...

Energy markets are once again at the centre of global uncertainty, with geopolitical tensions reshaping flows, pricing, and risk. In this episode, Giacomo Prandelli, founder of The Merchant’s News, joins us to break down how traders interpret these moments in real time. From the impact of Middle East tensions to the growing role of financial markets in price formation, we discuss how today’s trade...

In this episode, we’re discussing how rising tensions in the Middle East could impact the global LNG market and, ultimately, European gas prices. Europe has become increasingly dependent on LNG imports since the disruption of Russian pipeline flows following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. At the same time, a significant share of global LNG passes through sensitive shipping routes such as the Str...

Today’s guest is Albert Mackenzie from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. Albert is a copper analyst and reporter who has been covering the copper market for the past four years. Before joining Benchmark, he worked in pricing at Fastmarkets, giving him a strong foundation in how metals markets function at both the transactional and structural level. In this episode, we dive into copper’s record highs...

In this episode, we are joined by Thanasis Davakis founder of a risk management consultancy Just Freight with a background in mathematics and finance, and former experience at Navios developing hedging strategies. We explore the geopolitical forces shaping today’s freight markets, from Red Sea disruption and a potential Suez reopening to the possible end of the Russia–Ukraine war and growing uncer...

In this episode, we have our usual macro-outlook, starting with what happened in Davos, how trade is shaping the geopolitical environment and what this means for dry freight. We are then exploring the fascinating and fast-moving world of base metals. From copper that powers the clean energy transition to aluminium driving manufacturing innovation, these foundational commodities are at the heart of...

On the 3rd January 2026, the United States military launched Operation Absolute Resolve, an operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in Caracas. President Trump stated that the US would “run Venezuela” and that American oil companies would step in to help “fix the badly broken infrastructure”. Venezuela’s strategic importance, however, extends well beyo...

Hedging, Monetary Policy, and Oil Swings: Insights from FIS’s Latest Podcast This week on Freight Up, we set out to give listeners practical insights into the world of risk management across the commodity spectrum, from freight to metals to crude oil. If you’re looking to understand what’s really happening under the surface of today’s volatile markets, this episode features perspectives from profe...

This latest episode of Freight Up tracks the markets with a strong focus on capesize bulk carriers and the shifting opportunities in iron ore spreads. I’m Jess, and alongside Davide, I’ll be steering you through what’s been a dynamic couple of weeks across freight and commodity markets. This week, we dig into why the capesize segment has outperformed, the forces shaping paper and physical market m...

Iron ore has seen a sharp drop recently, and high sulphur fuel oil cracks have surged to levels not seen before—two standout moves that framed this episode of Freight Up. Hi I’m Jess, and alongside Davide and the team, we walk you through what’s really driving these changes in dry bulk freight and associated commodity markets. You'll get to listen in at how macroeconomic shifts, from British and C...

The main story across freight and commodities over the past fortnight has been the headline-making 90-day tariff reduction between the US and China. Hi, I’m Jess, and on this episode of Freight Up, myself and Davide unpack how this policy shift has tempered volatility and delivered a short-term lift to otherwise flat markets. Ben Klang joins us after a busy run of industry events, detailing the im...

Markets this week have been shaped by a volley of global events, each leaving its mark on commodities and freight. We’ve seen flat performances across dry freight indexes, despite slight gains in Capesize and Panamax sectors, and a muted Supramax uptick offset by minor losses in Handys. Oil and equity markets? Responding to political developments, most notably in the US, as tariffs and policy unce...

This podcast episode delves into the pressing topic of the current state of the freight and commodity markets, particularly in the context of the influence of Donald Trump’s administration. The discussion initiates with an analysis of recent fluctuations in key commodity prices, including significant declines in dry freight markets and iron ore values. Subsequently, I engage in a comprehensive dia...

If you’re looking to gain an understanding of how the steel industry is transforming, then this episode of "Freight Up" is for you. Hello, we're Jess and Davide, and we welcome you back to another insightful episode of Freight Up – your go-to podcast for the latest in freight and commodity markets from Freight Investor Services or as some of us know us, FIS. In our latest episode, we're diving int...

In this episode, we explore significant price fluctuations in the iron ore market with Hao Pei decoding the impacts of China's crude steel restrictions and market rumours on iron ore prices. Hello, we're Jess and Davide, and we welcome you back to another insightful episode of Freight Up – your go-to podcast for the latest in freight and commodity markets from Freight Investor Services or as some...

This is Freight Up, the place where we unpack the labyrinth that is the freight and commodity markets. I'm Jess, one of your guides on this voyage, alongside my co-host Davide. In this episode, we'll be diving headfirst into the current resurgence of the freight market with Ben Klang, while parsing through the intricacies of iron ore's recent pullback with Hao Pei. To wrap things up, Archie sheds...

In this week's episode, we'll explore the recent movements in the dry bulk freight rates, where the cape size segment has notably hit a two-year low, and the factors influencing these changes. Hello, we're Jess and Davide, and we welcome you back to another insightful episode of Freight Up – your go-to podcast for the latest in freight and commodity markets from Freight Investor Services or as som...

In this episode of " Freight Up ", we're discussing the impact of Russian sanctions on HSFO and Tarrifs on ferrous. We also look at the wider shifts in the freight and bulk commodity markets. Hi, I'm Jess from the Freight Investor Services podcast team and I’m here to guide you through a packed agenda featuring expert insights that promise to arm you with the knowledge you need to navigate these t...

Hello, Jess here from Freight Up! Welcome to our latest episode, "Navigating 2025 - Freight Market Trends, Tariff Turbulence, and Green Horizons." In this episode, we take a serious deep dive into the current dynamics reshaping the freight and bulk commodity markets as we enter 2025. You'll hear our discussions on the latest economic data from the US and China, key trends in the dry bulk market, a...

Welcome to a special episode of Freight Up , our last for the year! As we head into the holiday season, today's episode is packed with everything you need to get up to speed with the latest happenings in the freight and commodity markets. Whether you're taking a break from the Christmas rush or wrapping up your year-end strategies, you won't want to miss this detailed analysis of market trends, ec...

In this episode of Freight Up, we tackle the major shifts and trends in the freight and bulk commodity markets that have unfolded over the last two weeks. I'm Jess, and together with Davide, we'll guide you through the latest developments, featuring insights from our guests, Hao Pei, and Archie Smith. If you're keen to understand the dynamics currently shaping iron ore, steel, and fuel oil, this e...