Baltic Exchange recently participated in Global Commodity Conclave 2026, a major gathering of exchanges, commodity producers, traders, consumers and policymakers focused on the convergence of physical and financial commodity markets. Held in Mumbai and hosted by MCX, the event brought together leading voices from across the global commodities ecosystem to discuss market development, risk management, global trade and the growing role of derivatives in supporting physical commodity markets.
Representing Baltic Exchange, Mark Ma, Associate Director, delivered a presentation introducing the Baltic’s freight indices and freight derivatives ecosystem. The presentation focused on India’s growing reliance on seaborne commodity imports and the increasingly important role freight plays in the country’s industrial supply chains.
The session highlighted how Baltic Exchange brings transparency to the opaque global freight market across dry bulk, tanker, gas, container, chemical and airfreight sectors. Through more than 230 freight benchmarks and a global network of market participants, the Baltic provides freight indices that support contract negotiations and risk management decisions. Particular attention was given to the Baltic’s growing suite of Indian Ocean and India-relevant freight assessments, which offer market participants greater visibility over freight costs affecting commodity flows into and out of the region.
Following the presentation, Mark Ma joined the International Exchanges Roundtable, titled “Where Physical Meets Financial”, alongside representatives from MCX, CME Group, European Energy Exchange (EEX) and Abaxx Exchange. Moderated by CNBC-TV18 Commodities Editor Manisha Gupta, the discussion explored the evolving relationship between physical commodity markets and financial risk management tools. Panelists discussed the increasing importance of transparent benchmarks, the development of commodity derivatives markets, and how exchanges and benchmark administrators can support market participants navigating geopolitical uncertainty, changing trade flows and increasingly interconnected global supply chains.
The event also provided an opportunity to strengthen Baltic Exchange’s engagement with Indian market participants and key industry stakeholders. India continues to grow in importance within global commodity trade, and discussions throughout GCC reinforced the increasing relevance of freight market transparency and risk management to the country’s commodity ecosystem. Baltic Exchange remains committed to supporting Indian importers, exporters, traders and industrial consumers through trusted benchmarks, market intelligence and freight risk management solutions.
Source: Baltic Exchange
