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Fix. Operate. De-risk.
Softmar is a SaaS platform for vessel chartering, operations, and freight risk management. It brings clarity and control to the complexities of global shipping — offering accurate freight estimation, seamless contract management, advanced risk analytics (VaR, CFaR, Profit-at-Risk), carbon tracking, and voyage management. With Softmar, you can make faster, data-driven decisions, and operate with confidence across the shipping market.
Smarter freight starts here: Plan, operate, and protect profit in one platform
Softmar has long been trusted to manage chartering and vessel operations. But today’s market demands more — more visibility, more control, and real-time risk insight. Whether you’re moving dry bulk, liquids, or gas, Softmar brings clarity and control across the entire freight value chain.
Softmar can be used as a complete standalone platform or integrated seamlessly with ERP, CTRM, and other third-party systems.
The result: smarter planning, better execution, and real-time risk management across global freight operations.
Built for shipping bulk commodities
Robust freight risk management
Profit-driven freight optimization
Real-time voyage intelligence
Unified platform for trade, operations, and risk
Multi-lingual, mobile-ready access
Learn more about Softmar
Key features
Simplify ocean transportation
Manage straight-through commercial shipping activities for basic to complex bulk commodities.
Maintain full control of vessel operations throughout the entire voyage.
Manage hire and freight payments, invoicing, laytime calculations, and port disbursements in one comprehensive platform.
Take advantage of leading voyage estimation
Quickly assess bulk freight opportunities on a single screen for improved decision-making.
Maintain full control of vessel operations, and emissions obligations (EU ETS and FuelEU) throughout the entire voyage.
Locate your vessels at any time with an advanced vessel tracking management system.
Translate risks into opportunities
Analyze positions of vessels, Freight Forward Agreements (FFAs), Contract of Affreightments (COAs), cargo bookings, cargo relets, and options.
Leverage full-spectrum risk modeling using VaR, PaR, mark-to-market, and advanced option valuation tools.
Maintain a clear view of your physical and derivative positions’ exposure and mark-to-market valuation.
Gain total freight control — from planning to profit
Softmar is designed for shipping owners, operators, charterers, and commodity traders. Softmar’s modular design allows the solution to be customized to meet your business’s specific needs. With integration to any of ION’s commodity trading and risk management (CTRM) solutions, Softmar removes the need for manual exchange of requirements and execution information between the trading and shipping departments.
Evaluate freight opportunities and quote voyages with precision using Softmar’s Voyage Estimator. Calculate TCE, APS, and voyage duration instantly — on a web-based platform built for bulk commodity shipping.
Track technical and commercial vessel details, including speed, bunker consumption, and transaction history. Maintain accurate records to support performance monitoring and operational planning.
Model exposure in real time using VaR, PaR, and mark-to-market. Softmar helps quantify risk, forecast profitability, and protect margins across volatile freight markets.
Monitor voyage emissions and ensure EU ETS compliance. Softmar links vessel data with carbon cost exposure — supporting smarter reporting and regulatory alignment.
Enable seamless communication between onboard teams and shore-based operations. Softmar centralizes voyage updates, instructions, and reporting for faster, more informed decision-making.
Automate workflows and flag exceptions in real time. Softmar reduces manual effort and ensures operational consistency across chartering, scheduling, and performance tracking.
Connect Softmar with ION CTRMs, ERP systems, and external data sources via robust APIs. Ingest market data from the Baltic Exchange, Fidessa, and RightShip to enrich freight decisions and streamline commercial workflows.
Deploy Softmar on-premises or as a fully hosted SaaS solution managed by ION. Choose the model that fits your IT strategy — without compromising functionality or control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do shippers need a vessel chartering, operations, and freight risk management solution?
A vessel chartering, operations, and freight risk management solution like Softmar enables shippers to optimize vessel use, streamline operations, and protect margins from volatile freight rates, regulatory shifts, and market disruptions — all within a single, integrated platform.
How does Softmar differ from other shipping software solutions?
Softmar unifies chartering, operations, and risk management — built specifically for commodity shipping. It delivers real-time insights and financial foresight, not just voyage execution.
How does Softmar help in gaining operational transparency?
Softmar provides live vessel data and analytics across laytime, performance, and compliance — enabling users to gain operational transparency and control from planning to execution.
How does Softmar support freight risk management?
Softmar models exposure using VaR, PaR, and mark-to-market, and includes option valuation — helping teams quantify risk, forecast profitability, and make margin-driven decisions.
How does Softmar help with emissions compliance?
Softmar tracks emissions and supports EU ETS compliance as well as FuelEU Maritime penalty calculation by linking voyage data with carbon cost exposure — ensuring regulatory alignment and financial accountability.
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