CAS Commodity Trading 2025
2025-2026 Application
Online Application Is Now Open!
Information
Period
August 2025 - June 2026Language
EnglishFormat
Blended learningRegistration
Registration deadline
30 June 2025Fees:
- Application fee: CHF 250.- (non-refundable)
- CAS tuition: CHF 8'500.-
- Individual modules (max. 6 ECTS) :1.5-ECTSmodule:CHF 900.- |3-ECTSmodule: CHF 1'800.- (Conditions Apply)
Contribution to the SDGs
Objectives
- Gain a solid understanding of commodities markets and trading transactions
- Explore trading technology trends and innovation
- Master all aspects of risk management in trading
- Analyze the financing of trading activities
- Look into sustainability challenges & legal aspects
Audience
Programme
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 (12hours online)
- Trade Finance Banking Instruments (12hours online)
- Commodity Financing & Treasury (24 hours online)
- Commodity Trading Simulation (24 hours online)
Director(s)
Prof. Jean-Paul VULLIÉTY,Geneva School of Economics and Management (GSEM), AVƵ
Coordinator(s)
Partnership
Since September 2022, participants can choose a shorter version of the program with the Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Commodity Trading, which is offered primarily online. This new 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,...).
Speakers
Description
Course Overview
Manage the entire process to generate a deal with a sound understanding of all costs involved and risks to be covered.
Course Objectives and Takeaways
The course provides the key elements to have a deeper understanding of oil market and related transactions. More specifically, the focus will be set on the following topics:
- Know the origin of oil and its derivatives
- Understand oil market and characteristics
- Assimilate buyer and seller obligations against INCOTERMS 2020
- Locate products against requirement
- Negotiate contract terms
- Elaborate deal budgets
Speakers
Description
Course Overview
The objective of this module is tofamiliarisestudents with trading risk issues and their management/monitoring. The module will consist of identifying, quantifying and managing risks, directly or indirectly related to price risks.At the end of this section, the participants will have developed their capacity to understand the traders’ approach towards risks and opportunities in the commodity trading industry (with a focus on pricing risks) and understand the elements ofrisk management techniques in commodity trading.
Course Objectives and Takeaways
- Define and identify risks
- Master hedging techniques
- Understand notions such as Position capture and Mark-to-Market within a commodity trading structure
- Be familiar with option contracts and strategies
- Use and understand the different VaR models: parametric, historical and Monte-Carlo simulations
Speakers
Description
Course Overview
We are living an unprecedented concurrence of intertwined factors that are driving a profound transformation in commodity markets. The path to net-zero and the decarbonisation of the economy, the remapping of geopolitics, and the digitalisation of the industry, are re-shaping the vision and the strategy of the organisations operating in this industry. In this state of flux, where market participants of all sizes are rapidly transforming their business models to make informed decisions ahead of their competitors, the role of data and information technology has become of extreme relevance as it enables the innovation that underpins both revenue generation ideas, and the reduction of costs and operational risk.
This interdisciplinary course blends core concepts of data, technology, and business strategy from the perspective of a commodities trading corporation. Participants will gain a solid basis of the theoretical foundations and practical applications of data and technology that demystify data science and artificial intelligence. Each module supports the data-driven decision making that nurtures innovation, and is enriched by real-world examples and applications. The interactive presentations will include fireside chats and panel discussions with senior-level guests from the market who will be sharing their insights and bet practice.
Speakers
Description
Course Overview
Understanding the mechanism of the main banking instruments used for obtaining financing from financial institutions in order to secure payment and performance in trading of commodities on the international market.
Learning Objectives
- Understanding UCP600 and their usage
- Ability to choose the best payment instrument for a trader
Speakers
Description
The practice of commodities trading is the process wherein all Commodity products are exchanged to satisfy current demand. Traders engage in it to remove any inefficiency in the market. In the market for commodities, there is always a way to make a profit with managed risk, and this is via arbitrage where traders play with immediate price differentials.
During this module, students will have the opportunity
- To identify new trading opportunities using Business analysis canva
- To test in a simulation environment their concrete understanding of the trading industry: from the management of cash contract, monitoring of portfolio/positions to hedging cash contracts on exchanges.
- To familiarize themselves with real tools of the industry: Data Management Screen, Order Management System, Document templates from the industry.
Information will be presented in the form of use cases, academic research, articles, and whitepapers published by respected scholars and experts in the field, and the actual disclosures of major multi-national companies in the industry, including service providers, consultancy companies…
Rules of the simulation will be communicated in detail at the beginning of the module through the commodities trading simulation Handbook.
Students will have to connect to many platforms and will receive details for this purpose.
Speakers
Description
This module presents the various financing methods that are available to the commodity trading companies.
The module first deals with the types of financing which are typically used by or available to commodity trading/distribution companies, such as:
- Transactional Trade Finance;
- Inventory Financing – repurchase agreements;
- Borrowing Base;
- Prefinance and Pre-export finance, which are two different types of financing yet having some common features;
- Payment Risk Assumption (“PRA”) & Credit Risk Insurance (“CRI”), two credit risk mitigating tools that share common aspects but also significantly differ.
The module also covers some other types of financing which can be used by commodity trading companies when they reach a certain stage of development and/or are used by other commodity markets participants (E&P players, mine owners,..), namely:
- Reserve Base Lending (“RBL”);
- Revolving Credit Facility (“RCF”).
Other types of financing which will be covered in Module 10 include Asset Finance, Acquisition Finance, Bridge Loan and Project Finance.
Course Objectives and Takeaways
Objectives of module 7 are the following:
- give participants an understanding of the various tools/products and methodologies that lenders have developed over the years in order to finance the commodity trading companies, and
- illustrate how commodity trading companies manage their treasury requirements thanks to such financing tools.
Each type of financing is dealt in a similar manner, i.e. covering the following aspects:
- Principle & reimbursement sources
- Parties involved
- Type of duration
- Typical risks
- Securities
- Challenges for the Lender and the Borrower
- Advantages for the Lender and the Borrower
- Nature of the financing
- Typical structure of the credit facility
- Legal framework
- Management – follow up and position keeping.
At the end of the course, theparticipantswill be able to:
- Understand the specificities of the various financing methods available in order to finance trading companies, some of the technical aspects of such methods, the sources of risks and how to mitigate them.
- Have hints and tips to help choose/decide which type of financing would be the most appropriate depending on the business and related needs of the trading company.
- Be familiar with the specific language of the industry in order to be in a position to exchange with other members of the industry.
- Understand how trading companies manage their treasury requirements thanks to the use of the various financing methods covered.
Speakers
Description
Course Overview
Companies evolve in complex environments. Managers today are confronted with an unprecedented mix of social, environmental, and governance (ESG) issues and demands from a variety of stakeholders. As such, responsible corporate behavior and sustainability issues have been of increasingly growing concern in many industries, including the commodity trading industry. This industry in particular works with some sectors that are typically very prone to ESG-related issues, including oil and gas, mining, and agriculture. Sustainability encompasses a broad range of issues that present risks (and opportunities) to individuals, corporations, and industries. Being able to understand and address ESG issues in the professional context is increasingly considered a success factor for individuals and companies, and is also important for entire industries, as they are expected to advance the sustainability agenda.
Course Objectives
This course aims to introduce participants to ways of thinking about and tools that can assist in identifying, analyzing, and working towards a resolution of ESG-related issues and dilemmas in the commodity trading context. Students will reflect on existing management and industry practices, as well as ethical issues, and suggest approaches for how to manage and resolve ESG-related concerns.
Speakers
Description
- Understanding of the trading workflow. The students will be able to identify the different steps of a trade from the sign-off of the contract to the delivery of the goods. Theyshould be able to integrate in this analysis the specificities of the different commodities
- Understanding of contracts set-up (incoterms, etc.). The students should be able to link the different documentations to the contract. At the end of the module, theywill be able to list the documents used on specific trades as shipping documents. Theywill be able to identify the right Incoterms according to the trading strategy and the impact of an incoterm choice on trading operations / documentation
Assessment
Diploma awarded
Admission criteria
- AVƵ degree, or equivalent
- Minimum of3 years of relevant professional experience
- Proficiency in English
Steering committee
- Professor Jean-Paul VULLIÉTY, Academic Director, AVƵ
- Mrs Eliane PALIVODA-HERREN, Executive Director, AVƵ
Scientific committee
- Prof. Jean-Paul VULLIÉTY (GSEM, Unige)
- Prof. Marcelo OLARREAGA (GSEM, Unige)
- Prof. Salvatore DI FALCO (GSEM, Unige)
- Mr Benoit LIOUD (Mercuria Energy Group)
- Mr Pierre-Edouard DOLHEN (Louis-Dreyfus Commodities)
- Mr Olivier THYSSEN (Banque Cantonale de Genève)
- Mr Serge CLAUS(SUISSENÉGOCE)
- Mr Simeon LACHEV (Metinvest International SA)
- Mr Guillaume DE LA VILLE (Ezpada Group)
- Mr Rafael HUBER (Cargill)
- Mr Daniel LOEFFLER (Département du développement économique)
- Mr Vincent SUBILIA (CCIG)
Application File
- IDCardor passport
- Passport-size photo (.jpg format)
- Curriculum Vitae (max. 3pages)
- Cover letter
- Bachelor Degree andthe highest educational qualification obtained (e.g., Master or PhD)
- Letter of recommendation from the current employer
- Work certificates(or work contracts) from former employers
Number of participants
Detailed fees
- Total tuition fee (CAS): CHF 8'500.-.
- Application fee (non-refundable): CHF 250.-.
- Individual modules: participants may enroll in individual modules, totaling a maximum of6 ECTS credits.
- Enrolment in the program is only officialonce theregistration&tuition fees have been paid by the deadlines.
- In case of withdrawal after the start ofthe program,the fulltuition fee remains payable tothe program. There areno refunds in the event of course failure or expulsion from the program.
- No scholarships are offered.
- The Certificate of Advanced Studiesis issued upon successful completion of allmodules and full paymentof the tuition fee.
- After obtaining the CAS, participants cancontinue their studies to obtain the DAS by completing the missing modules; this must be done within the year followingthe CAS.
Participants may request oneor twoinstalmentsif they are paying the tuition themselves. Instalments areas follows:
- One instalment(CHF 8'500):Deadline -July 31, 2025
- Two instalments (2 x CHF 4'250):Deadlines - within 30 days of acceptance&September 30, 2025
If the tuition is paid by a third party, only one invoice will be issued.
Request for instalments must be made at the time participantsare acceptedin the program.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
The following documents must be submittedduring the online application:
- IDCardor passport
- Passport-size photo (.jpg format)
- Curriculum Vitae (max. 3pages)
- Cover letter
- Bachelor Degree andthe highest educational qualification obtained (e.g., Master or PhD)
- Letter of recommendation from the current employer
- Work certificates(or work contracts) from former employers
Cancellation Policy
In case of withdrawal after the start ofthe program,the fulltuition fee remains payable tothe program. There areno refunds in the event of course failure or expulsion from the program.
Schedule
The CAS program comprises 7modules (18 ECTS): the modules are taught online, with the exception ofthe first week (2 modules) which takes place on site in Geneva; the courses run from September toJune.
- 2 Onsite modules: 3 consecutive full days| 8.30 am - 5.30 pm
- 5 Online modules: 12.00 pm - 2.00 pm (Geneva time); 2 courses areshared with DAS participants
Courses are not recorded.
PARTICIPATION / COURSE VALIDATION
- 100 % attendanceis required to validate a module.
- Online courses: participants must ensurethey havea good connection; modules will not be validated in the event ofpartial attendance due to poorconnection.
- Lessons are not recorded.
- For each teaching hour, participants should expect 1-2 additional hours for course preparation (reading, case studies, assignments,...).
- Each course is assessed by anindividual and/or group exam, in class or at home.
- Participants have a maximum of 2 attempts to validate the module (the initial exam and the make-up exam).
- The diploma is awarded upon successful completion of allmodules and full settlementof the tuition fee.
Collaboration
Remarks
NETWORKING EVENTS
Several networking events are organized throughout the year by the(CTA).
These events offerour participants an excellentopportunity to meet experts from the trading and commoditiesrelatedfields.
- Xavier Trabia, Head of TradinG & Supply,Klesch Petroleum SA-
- Alessandro Sanos, Global Director Customer Strategy, Commodities -
- Pierre Theze, Head Documentary Credit, BCV - Banque Cantonale Vaudoise -
- Pierre-Edouard Dolhen,Head of Derivatives Back & Middle Office / Switzerland Corporate Partnerships Manager,Louis Dreyfus Company Suisse S.A. -
- Guillaume de La Ville, Owner at Commodity Finance Guillaume de La Ville, Geneva -
- Lilach Zacharia-Trabelsi, Managing Director, TBH Global Family Office SA-
- Carine Albertini-Jadot, Head of Operations, Sahara Energy Resources Pte Ltd (Geneva Branch)-
"Commuting from Zug to Geneva to attend the DAS program was totally worth it. I have had the chance to meet amazing professionals amoung teachers and colleagues. It's been a very interesting introduction to Commodity Trading industry, with valuable insights and great network opportunity. The program represents a great opportunity to learn from experienced professionals with very diverse backgrounds. I totally recomand the program to whoever wish to expand professional network and gain exposure on the industry." Luminita Tudose, SEBA Bank AG