How we work

Everything starts with a complete specification. Most failed commodity transactions fail because the specification was never fully agreed — a phosphorus ceiling nobody stated, a calorific basis quoted on ADB and read as NAR, a calibre assumed rather than confirmed.

Our requirement form covers the same ground a purchase order covers: grade and tolerance, quantity and term, incoterm and named place, payment instrument, inspection regime and required documents. Completed properly, it goes to supply without a fortnight of back and forth.

Before anything is quoted, we establish that the counterparty is the title holder rather than a link in a chain. We check corporate registration in the country of incorporation, production capability against the volume offered, and export history.

We do not work against allocation letters, unverifiable proof-of-product, or intermediaries claiming a mandate they cannot evidence. Where a document is presented, we verify it with the issuing body rather than accepting the copy.

Terms are agreed in writing before the contract is drawn. That means the Incoterms 2020 rule and its named place, the payment instrument and its exact wording, who bears inspection cost and at which point quality and weight become final, the document set, laytime and demurrage where relevant, and the governing law and arbitration forum.

Where a trade association form governs the commodity we contract on it rather than inventing terms — GAFTA on grains and pulses, FOSFA on oils and oilseeds, the Refined Sugar Association on whites and ICE No.11 on raws.

We stay on the transaction through loading, inspection, documentation and discharge. One point of contact for both sides, from first enquiry to final document.

If something goes wrong — a vessel delay, an analysis dispute, a document discrepancy at the bank — you hear it from us early, with the options set out plainly.