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

Freight Investor Services
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Into the Futures explores freight and commodity derivatives markets, examining how participants manage risk, price volatility and investment decisions across global commodities. The podcast features in-depth interviews with market specialists and industry experts, offering their insights on the complex world of commodity derivatives. Listeners are invited to engage with the show by submitting questions or expressing interest in participating via email at news@freightinvestor.com. Visit FIS Live: https://fis-live.com/ You can also connect with us on LinkedIn: Freight Investor Services

  1. Episode 7: The View From the Engine Room

    8 APR

    Episode 7: The View From the Engine Room

    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’s happening in real time. To help us make sense of it, we are joined by Camillo Castagnola, General Manager at York Overseas SA a grains shipping company, to take a closer look at what’s happening in the physical side of shipping.

    22 min
  2. Episode 6: Energy Markets in Turmoil: Signal vs Noise

    25 MAR

    Episode 6: Energy Markets in Turmoil: Signal vs Noise

    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 traders separate signal from noise and where they are finding edge.

    27 min
  3. Episode 5: LNG Under Pressure: Middle East Tensions and European Gas

    11 MAR

    Episode 5: LNG Under Pressure: Middle East Tensions and European Gas

    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 Strait of Hormuz. So the key question is: how vulnerable are LNG markets—and European gas prices—to geopolitical escalation in the region? To explore that, I’m joined today by Natasha Fielding, Editorial Manager at Argus Media, who will help us unpack the risks for LNG supply, shipping routes, and European gas markets.

    25 min
  4. Episode 4: Copper is powering AI, and hitting new highs

    25 FEB

    Episode 4: Copper is powering AI, and hitting new highs

    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 and the reasoning behind the rally. We explore the apparent surplus in inventories, including what Albert calls the “invisible stock”, and what that means for the market. We also discuss copper’s growing role in AI infrastructure and electrification, and how the evolving tariff landscape could shape the next phase of the market. It’s an interesting, nuanced conversation about one of the most important metals in the global economy.

    19 min
  5. Episode 3: Are Freight Rates Running On Disruption?

    11 FEB

    Episode 3: Are Freight Rates Running On Disruption?

    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 uncertainty around global green policy. Together, we unpack how these inefficiencies and policy shifts are influencing rates, risk, and decision-making for shipowners and traders. Thanasis shares practical insights on navigating volatility, building smarter hedging strategies, and managing freight exposure in an increasingly unpredictable market. A sharp, forward-looking conversation connecting global events with real trading and shipping dynamics.

    17 min
  6. Episode 2: The Magnificent Six (Base Metals)

    28 JAN

    Episode 2: The Magnificent Six (Base Metals)

    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 global industry and economic growth. Joining us is Andy Farida, Senior Analyst at Fastmarkets, bringing us his sharp insights and a clear pulse on the market, delving in the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the base metals space. Whether you’re an investor, an industry professional, or just curious about what’s moving these markets, Andy’s outlook will help you make sense of it all.

    31 min
  7. Episode 1: Don’t Cry For Me Venezuela

    16 JAN

    Episode 1: Don’t Cry For Me Venezuela

    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 beyond oil. The country holds significant reserves of a wide range of commodities, raising important economic, market and geopolitical questions. In this first episode of Into the Futures, Richard Stephenson examines the implications of recent events, the changing US foreign policy, the outlook for Venezuelan commodities, and what this could mean for global financial markets.

    24 min
  8. Hedging commodities, monetary policy and crude oil fluctuations

    25/06/2025

    Hedging commodities, monetary policy and crude oil fluctuations

    Hedging, Monetary Policy, and Oil Swings: Insights from FIS’s Latest PodcastThis 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 professionals who operate right at that interface between price risk and real-world trade. We started with Samuel Basi, founder of Perfectly Hedged Consultancy and a former Trafigura metals trader, for a deep dive into the realities of commodity hedging in liquid and illiquid markets. From there, we heard from Carlo Boffa, a central bank watcher at Politico, on central bank decisions and how the evolving landscape of monetary policy is shaping the US dollar and, by extension, commodity prices. We wrap up with Archie Smith, oil broker, who broke down the extreme pricing swings in the oil market driven by macro shocks and geopolitical headlines, highlighting what’s front of mind for market participants right now. Some of the headline talking points this week include: the merits and pitfalls of one-to-one hedging in today’s market, with Sam exploring where hedging can reduce risk and where it might inadvertently add more. We tackled the specific challenges faced by traders and companies in less liquid markets, including practical ways to quantify risk and work with imperfect hedges—or get creative in the over-the-counter space to find coverage. Options came under the spotlight, especially with clients’ hesitancy to use them, and Sam gave practical context about why options sometimes get overlooked and when they can be a valuable part of a strategy. Companies mentioned in this episode: FIS Perfectly Hedged Consultancy Trafigura Politico LME CME SGX ICE Citadel GMI

    36 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Into the Futures explores freight and commodity derivatives markets, examining how participants manage risk, price volatility and investment decisions across global commodities. The podcast features in-depth interviews with market specialists and industry experts, offering their insights on the complex world of commodity derivatives. Listeners are invited to engage with the show by submitting questions or expressing interest in participating via email at news@freightinvestor.com. Visit FIS Live: https://fis-live.com/ You can also connect with us on LinkedIn: Freight Investor Services

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