Making voyage decisions count: Why real-time commercial visibility is vital to deliver value with optimization in International Shipping News 27/03/2026 A lack of commercial clarity in voyage planning can lead to inefficiencies that silently erode margins – and real optimization is all about connecting the dots between a range of operational and economic factors to fully unlock value, according to StormGeo’s Commercial Lead Routing Rolf Reksten. “Voyage optimization has become an industry buzzword. It is nothing new – this has been the ship operator’s job for decades. What is missing is properly integrating the commercial dimension into that equation,” Reksten says. “This means that a significant amount of value is being left on the table simply because decisions are not connected to real commercial outcomes. Without full visibility of the commercial picture, optimization remains subject to uncertainty due to unseen variables.” Relating to real-world conditions When planning a ship voyage, commercial parameters determine whether the voyage will be profitable, contractually compliant and operationally efficient. Key parameters include TCE/market value and charter terms, operating costs (fuel, port charges, insurance etc.), bunkering strategy, laytime and demurrage risk, cargo delivery, port efficiency, weather-related delay risk and emissions costs. StormGeo’s Commercial Lead Routing Rolf Reksten. Photo: StormGeo While digital tools have transformed voyage planning, these remain largely focused on routing efficiency and fuel consumption, in line with conventional thinking in the industry. But without proper assimilation of economic data, this can result in commercial blind spots in decision-making. Market conditions and economics are constantly changing, and it is therefore necessary to manage and relate to current market data in voyage planning so that decisions are aligned with the real-world situation, according to Reksten. “Voyage optimization isn’t static; it’s a dynamic picture. Relying on averages for freight and bunker prices is insufficient as you need real-time market insight to make the right decisions,” he explains. The complexity of modern shipping combined with market volatility demand a holistic approach in which commercial considerations are truly integrated into operational planning and execution, Reksten believes. Managing voyage trade-offs A typical voyage entails multiple commercial trade-offs, but these may not be properly considered if there are fragmented responsibilities and a lack of data-sharing between chartering and operations teams in voyage planning, which can result in missed opportunities. The complexity of modern shipping demands holistic voyage optimization to maximize value. Image: Shutterstock For example, reducing fuel usage with slower routing to cut emissions or taking a detour to capture a lower bunker price may appear to make sense. But the resulting delay could mean missing a cargo offloading window – and incurring penalties – or losing out on a more lucrative contract in a higher market. Consequently, fuel or emissions savings could be heavily outweighed by avoidable losses. “Understanding these commercial trade-offs and accessing actionable market data for adaptive planning is key to a successful voyage. Operational optimization without commercial context can deliver a sub-optimal outcome,” Reksten says. Operational decisions on speed, routing and arrival timing directly influence the commercia