Archives: Programs

Overview

The programme has been created with a hands-on approach: it follows the life cycle of a commodity trade, thus providing participants with a balanced theory-practice grasp of the various components of trading and shipping operations.

The programme allows participants to understand the life cycle of a trade from the operational side on a 4 months period.

We expect that, through this training, participants will ultimately be best placed to rapidly gain in experience, making the most out of the various real-life cases that they will be confronted with.

The Certificate is composed of 12 modules all taught in English. The modules take place on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings, so as not to interfere with the professional activity of the participants and give them enough time to assimilate and eventually practice what has been learnt in class.

This training is open to highly motivated candidates with an excellent level in English and Microsoft Office

Testimonials

Programme

• Introduction into Commodity Trading, Documents & INCOTERMS
  Commodities
• Shipping, Chartering
• Field trip to a major port
• Introduction to Trade Finance
• LC and other payment terms
• Trading Contracts
• Shipping operations, Demurrage and Laytime
• Physical risks & Insurance
• Law & Dispute Resolution Schemes
• Trading Operations I – Execution flows
• Trading Operations II – Role of the Operator & Troubleshooting
• Course Review & Practical case study – Trading game (graded in class)

Lecturers

Arturs Evele

Sturzenegger & Co

Head of Demurrage

Carine Albertini

Sahara Group

Head of Operations

Edisher Chiaureli

Riverlake Shipping

Operations Manager

Jean-Matthieu Sternberg

Sternberg Consulting

Oil Consultant

Matthieu Delorme

Saybolt International BV

Global Agribusiness Director

Olivier Thyssen

BCGE

Head of Credit & Project Management, Global Commodity Finance

Pierre-Edouard Dolhen

Louis Dreyfus Company

Head of EMEA Derivatives

Simeon Lachev

Weromett SA

Managing Director

Sumit Khanna

Bunge SA

Senior Manager – Chartering

Vladimir Martynov

Gunvor SA

Global Head of Sanctions Compliance

Yan Blitshteyn

NLMK Trading SA

Head of Middle and Back office

Overview

Commodity trading companies are exposed to a wide range of risks; operational and financial. Complex and diverse, the risks are often interconnected. The function of a Risk Manager is to identify the risks and to follow the operations all the way through the transaction from one end to the other, supported by specialised computer systems, while fostering communication among the various departments.

As the Risk Analyst function is at the heart of the business, his/her position has to constantly evolve in order to accompany the process of changes and the implementation of new projects and advanced technologies.

The Certificate consists of 8 modules of 6 hours each, divided into two evenings per week (3 hours/day). All modules are taught in English.

The modules take place on Monday and Thursday evenings, to avoid any interference with professional obligations and to allow participants enough time to absorb and eventually practise what has been learnt in the programme.

Testimonials

Program

The programme has been created with a hands-on approach in order to give participants the best and quickest possible grip of the diverse procedures required in commodity trading operations. The modules take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings so as not to interfere with professional activities and to give participants enough time to absorb and eventually practise what has been learnt in the programme.

• Introduction to Commodity Trading
• Risk identification
• Market techniques and organisation
• Market techniques and organisation: Graded directed exercise
• Introduction to pricing
• Introduction to pricing: Graded directed exercise
• Corporate reporting and risk management
• Project management
• Course Review and Case Study

Lecturers

Alexis Flandre

Mercuria Energy Trading

Portfolio Manager, Structured Organisaton & Investments

Benjamin Baptiste

Ameropa

Risk Global Business Process Owner

Jean-Noël Ardouin

EY

Partner, Advisory
Financial Services Risk Management

Pierre-Edouard Dolhen

Louis Dreyfus Company

Head of EMEA Derivatives

Stéphanie Trabia

Sparta Commodities

Chief Strategy Officer

Thomas Ruckebusch

SOCAR Trading SA

Head of LNG & Gas Middle Office

Vuk Stancic

EY

Director, Risk Advisory, Financial Services Risk Management

Overview

Documentary Credits form the backbone of international trade, offering security, reliability, and efficiency for both buyers and exporters. Banks play a crucial role in these transaction cycles, ensuring smooth financial execution.

On a daily basis, the Documentary Credit Officer is at the forefront of individual transaction financial executions. Whether working in a bank’s trade finance department, or in a company’s import /export, or procurement division, a strong technical understanding of Documentary Credits and related instruments is crucial for success in international trade.

This comprehensive program comprises the 4 fundamentals Modules of the Operator Certificate designed specifically for junior Credit Officers.

This practice-oriented Certificate aims to enable participants to:

• Develop a good understanding of Documentary Credit techniques and their pratical implementation.
• Cultivate a professional mindset and acquire practical toolbox that adds value beyond the execution level.

This program is designed for:

• Junior Trade Finance Officers and Documentary Credit Officers in the early stages of their career at commodity trading companies or banks who want to accelerate their professional development and fully grasp all angles of this complex, evolving profession.
• Young professionals considering a career transition into the commodity sector, particularly within banks active in Trade Finance or trading companies.

Programme

• Introduction to Commodity Trading, Documents & Incoterms
• Introduction to Trade Finance
  Financial Instruments & Introduction to Hedging
• LC and Other Payment Terms
• Trading Contracts

Lecturers

Pierre-Edouard Dolhen

Louis Dreyfus Company

Head of EMEA Derivatives

Olivier Thyssen

Banque Cantonale de Genève

Vice President
Head of Credit and Project Management
Global Commodity Finance

Yan Blitshteyn

NLMK Trading SA

Head of Middle and Back Office

Siméon Lachev

Weromett SA

Managing Director

Overview

The Documentary Credit Officer is at the forefront of individual transaction financial executions. Whether working with a Bank or in Trade Finance, Import / Export, Procurement Department, a good technical understanding of Documentary Credit and other instruments will be a key success factor within the international trade workspace.

This second part is designed to perfectly complement the first one and is tailored toward more experienced candidates.

At the end of the training and through practical examples, case studies and simulation, you will be able to:

• Understand the techniques of the documentary credits, collections and guarantees areas and their handling going through end-to-end processes.
• Develop a mindset and practical toolbox which should contribute to all value to their intervention beyond the execution level.
• Assess and advise which will be the most relevant instrument to meet the objectives assigned (amongst other with respect to security, flexibility, … sought).
• Handle and process the instruments (wrt issuance/amendment/check documents compliance and honoring).

We expect that, through this training, you will ultimately be best placed to rapidly gain in experience, making the most out of the various real-life cases that you will be confronted with.

The Certificate consists of 6 modules of 6 hours each, divided into two evenings per week (3 hours/day).

Program

• Introduction
• Bank Operations
• LC and Shipping documents
• Trade Finance Operations
• Guarantees
• Practical transaction from end-to-end

Lecturers

Paolo Montella

ING Bank N.V.

Head of L/C Dept.

Katia Bolzan

ING Bank N.V.

ESG Advisor

Siham Kheddar

ING Bank N.V.

International Warranty Manager

Nicolas Beck

Mercuria Energy Trading SA

Trade Finance Officer

Simeon Lachev

Weromett SA

Managing Director

In this course, we will explore the critical role of hedging and derivatives in managing risk and enhancing profitability within the dynamic world of commodity trading. You will learn how traders, producers, and consumers use financial instruments like futures, options, and swaps to protect against price volatility and secure predictable outcomes in an otherwise unpredictable market. We will cover key concepts such as risk management strategies, market structures, pricing mechanisms, and the regulatory environment governing derivatives and hedging of commodities.

This intensive 9-hour course (3 sessions of 3 hours each) is led by industry experts, combining theory, practical case studies and immediately applicable tools.

We place strong emphasis on practical cases and hedging scenarios across the three main commodities (energy, agri, metals), aiming to simulate real market conditions. 

Let’s dive into the world of hedging and derivatives and take your knowledge of commodity trading to the next level!

Programme

• Introduction to hedging
• Case studies
• Tools and templates for hedging
• Course review and practical case studies

Lecturer

Pierre-Edouard Dolhen

Louis Dreyfus Company

Head of EMEA Derivatives

Overview

This programme is intended to provide the participants, in a very short period (2 days) of time, with a comprehensive understanding of the world of Commodity Trading, Shipping and Trade Finance. The course explores the history, current situation and future of the industry before covering the fundamental aspects of the day-to-day business itself. The course focuses on the importance of each phase of a trading contract and emphasizes the interactions between them.

In addition, it focuses on the importance of understanding the work done by colleagues and actively enhancing inter-departmental collaboration. The participants will be exposed to business documentation and specific terminologies, immediately usable in their daily practice.

The course is aimed at a wide audience ranging from individuals currently working within the industry looking to improve their overall understanding and actions of colleagues, individuals working for companies providing services to the industry and looking to better understand their customers, individuals reporting on or regulating the industry and those outside the industry looking to better understand how it works.

Program

• Introduction to Commodity Trading
• Commodities and Trading Companies
• Documentation and Terminology overview
• Current and future changes in Commodity Trading
• Sustainability
• Operational Overview
• Shipping
• Insurance
• Compliance
• Financing Commodity Trading
• Price and risk management
• Legal dispute avoidance and resolution
• Counterparty Relations

Lecturer

Richard Watts

HR Maritime

President of the Geneva branch of The Propeller Club.
Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.
President of SOS Mediterrannee Suisse.

Overview

Expectations around Sustainability matters are increasing and getting more and more specific. As requirements for Environmental Management, Energy Transition trajectories (carbon, biodiversity) and Human Rights Due diligence are widening, companies have to refine their strategies and upgrade their processes.

The Modules will use a blended learning approach with face-to-face teaching, mandatory readings, practical exercises (a.o. stakeholder mapping), webinars and expert guest speakers. Each session will be subject to group exercises. There will cases related to the 3 main commodities so that each of you can engage more easily – Oil & Gas, Metals & Minerals, Agri.

The programme targets in particular SME’s, management, front office, middle office, legal and compliance and any person interested in how to integrate Environment, Social and Governance in the physical commodities value chain.

The course will be concluded with each participant wrapping up on key areas to focus on in their specific context.

At the end of the training, you will:

• Have a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of ESG at each step of physical commodities trading
• Be Familiarised with ESG specific standards, documentation and specific terminologies immediately usable in your daily practice
• Understand how to develop a policy commitment and embed respect for environment, human rights and general governance into management systems
• Appreciate the need for cross collaboration and offer tools to set up a tailored approach to one’s organisation

Program

• 2 days of 8 hours each, in class teaching (with possibility of remote participation).
• Introduction and overview of expectations around sustainability
• Origin and processing
• Transport and utilisation
• Governance and communication

Lecturers

Elsa Pernot

Gunvor

Global Head of HSEC

Rozenn Kerviel

Walter Matter

RKER Consulting – ESG, Sustainability and Compliance Strategies Consultancy

Stephen Thomas

ArrowResources AG

Group ESG & Sustainability Manager

A World-class Programme

Established by the University of Geneva – Geneva School of Management, in collaboration with SUISSENÉGOCE , this Master’s program is taught in English during an intensive 2-semester academic course integrated with a part-time traineeship in a commodity trading and finance-related company. The program therefore merges the academic rigor of a Master’s level course with practical on-the-job experience.

You need to hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized University.

Please note that if you have more than three years of professional experience, you will not be eligible for the Master’s. We invite you to register for the Executive Diploma in Commodity Trading.

To support you in the recruitment of the mandatory traineeship, SUISSENÉGOCE organizes a dedicated job board allowing companies to contact you if you are pre-accepted by the Admissions office of the University of Geneva. This platform is open to every company that has been accredited as a sponsor company by SUISSENÉGOCE.

Application for September 2025:  15 January 2025 to 28 February 2025.

Classes are held weekly on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings at Uni Mail, University of Geneva. Occasionally, modules will also be held on Thursdays. The program runs from September for two semesters plus a thesis.

Testimonials

Overview

The Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) in Commodity Trading, was created in 2008 by the University of Geneva in collaboration with SUISSENÉGOCE.

Designed for you if you are a professional looking to develop your skill set in commodity trading or make a career change, it provides a strong and thorough curriculum, which uniquely covers all commodities and activities across the commodity value chain, from upstream to downstream.

This programme is for you if you are already working in the commodity trading industry or any industry related to commodities, such as Trade Finance, Audit, Inspection, etc., and you wish to strengthen your knowledge or acquire new skills in the commodity trading industry.

12 modules are held in Geneva and 2 online courses are shared with CAS participants; courses run from September to June.

Key facts

Program

14 modules:

• Basics of Commodity Trading and World Trade Flows (24 hours)
• Organization, Sustainability and Responsibility (12 hours online)
• Trading Transactions (24 hours)
• Compliance and Legal Aspects (24 hours)
• Data, Technology & Innovation (12 hours online)
• Shipping, Logistic & Transport (24 hours)
• Market Intelligence (12 hours)
• Commodity Financing and Treasury (24 hours)
• Risk Insurance (12 hours)
• Trade Finance Banking Instruments (24 hours)
• Credit & Asset Management (24 hours)
• Risk Management (24 hours)
• Commodity Trading Simulation (24 hours online)
• Advanced Risk Management (24 hours)

Overview

The Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Commodity Trading, was created in 2008 by the University of Geneva in collaboration with SUISSENÉGOCE.

This program has been introduced to meet the growing demand for online courses from our international audience, which includes professionals working in the commodity trading industry or related fields (e.g., auditing, logistics, trade finance,…).

This programme is for you if you are already working in the commodity trading industry or any industry related to commodities, such as Trade Finance, Audit, Inspection, etc., and you wish to strengthen your knowledge or acquire new skills in the commodity trading industry.

6 modules are held in Geneva and 2 online courses are shared with DAS participants; courses run from September to June.

Key facts

Program

8 modules:

• Trading Transactions (24 hours onsite)
• Risk Management (24 hours onsite)
• Organization, Sustainability & Responsibility (12 hours online)
• Shipping & Operations (12 hours online)
• Data, Technology & Innovation (12 hours online)
• Trade Finance Banking Instruments (12 hours online)
• Commodity Financing & Treasury (24 hours online)
• Commodity Trading Simulation (24 hours online)