Elaine Yu
Senior Freight Charterer South32

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For global mining and metals company South32, efficient and data-driven freight chartering is a critical part of connecting commodities from production sites to markets around the world. As Senior Freight Charterer, Elaine Yu is responsible for physical freight procurement — managing alumina and base metal concentrates shipped out of Australia and importing caustic soda cargoes for South32’s alumina refinery. 

Since adopting the IMOS Platform in 2016, South32 has relied on Veson’s technology to bring together the commercial, operational, and financial dimensions of its maritime supply chain — helping teams make confident decisions with clarity and speed. 

Empowering chartering decisions through a single platform 

For Elaine, IMOS has long been an integral part of her daily workflow. “I’ve been using IMOS since my very first company, even before joining South32,” she explains. “It supports my daily freight chartering work by providing a single, unified platform for making pre-fixture freight calculations, voyage planning, optimizing costs through vessel comparison, managing operational expenses during execution, as well as vessel tracking and settlement.” 

With its integrated design, IMOS streamlines complex processes — from initial evaluation to post-voyage analysis. “The system helps us make decisions faster and easier through real-time data, automated profit estimates, scenario comparisons, better scheduling, and integrated risk management. It’s one of the key shipping tools I rely on every day.” 

Bridging trading and shipping for a clearer view of value 

As a commodity trading organization, South32 views shipping not just as a logistical function but as an extension of its trading strategy. 

“IMOS adds real value by providing convenient freight trading modules that allow us to select, compare, and evaluate various cargo opportunities with ease,” Elaine says. “Beyond that, the system integrates voyage planning, cost optimization, and exposure management, giving us a clearer view of both operational and financial impacts.” 

That unified visibility helps South32 make faster, more informed freight decisions. “Ultimately, the unique benefit of IMOS for South32 lies in how it connects the operational side of shipping with the commercial side of trading, ensuring better visibility, control, and efficiency across the entire value chain.” 

“Ultimately, the unique benefit of IMOS for South32 lies in how it connects the operational side of shipping with the commercial side of trading, ensuring better visibility, control, and efficiency across the entire value chain.”

— Elaine Yu, Senior Freight Charterer, South32

Enhancing collaboration across teams 

At South32, freight chartering is closely linked with other functions — from operations to finance. IMOS provides a common foundation that allows the whole freight desk to collaborate effectively. 

“Voyage economics and performance visibility are critical, and IMOS is central to how we manage both at South32,” Elaine notes. “The system allows us to calculate freight costs and voyage economics upfront, compare vessel options, and optimize both chartering and operational expenses.” 

“Voyage economics and performance visibility are critical, and IMOS is central to how we manage both at South32. The system allows us to calculate freight costs and voyage economics upfront, compare vessel options, and optimize both chartering and operational expenses.”

— Elaine Yu, Senior Freight Charterer, South32

That insight doesn’t stay within the chartering team. “What makes it especially valuable is how the data is shared seamlessly across teams. Commercial, operations, and finance colleagues all work off the same platform, which reduces duplication and ensures consistency in information. For example, shipment data captured in IMOS supports freight and voyage analysis but also feeds into our commodity trading evaluations and accounting processes.” 

The result is a more connected, responsive organization. “IMOS improves decision-making and collaboration by giving everyone — from chartering to operation to trading to finance — a common view of voyage performance and freight economics, enabling us to act quickly and in alignment with the wider business.” 

Evolving with technology — and with the needs of teams 

Reflecting on the industry’s digital transformation, Elaine emphasizes the importance of human connection and practicality alongside tech innovation. 

“There is such a wide range of things IMOS can do that I don’t feel the functionality is always being utilized to its fullest,” she shares. “That’s why I think it’s important for Veson to keep investing in user training — this helps users get the most value from the platform and gives us deeper insights into how our workflows can evolve.” 

For Elaine, the future of shipping technology lies in balance: “While developing alongside new trends is valuable, it’s equally important to ensure innovations remain user-driven. After all, in shipping, the best technology is the kind that truly serves people’s needs in the day-to-day.”