28 Feb 2025

Baltic Exchange, the world's only independent source of maritime market information for the trading and settlement of physical and derivative contracts, and Veson Nautical, a global pioneer in maritime data and freight management solutions, have joined forces to launch the latest version of the official Baltic99 Questionnaire for the dry bulk sector.

The questionnaire, which remains the industry standard for collecting and collating detailed information about the global dry bulk fleet, is designed to help owners and charterers share common data requirements to speed up the vetting process when a vessel is put up for hire, facilitate faster trades and ensure smarter pre-fixture decision making.

Latest version of the questionnaire

The latest version of the questionnaire, available as of now, has expanded its criteria to cover

It is also a vital tool to ensure owners and operators supply the data they need as part of their commercial and vetting criteria to ensure they are in line with regional, national and International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations.

The latest version of the questionnaire, available as of now, has expanded its criteria to cover an increasing cadence of requests for safety and sustainability information about bulk carriers. 

Ballast Water Treatment Systems

As a result, the Baltic99 Questionnaire has been designed to help move the global maritime industry move forward on a number of key issues, such as reducing carbon emissions, increasing operational safety standards in the dry bulk trade, and Ballast Water Treatment Systems.

In addition, respondents to the Baltic99 Questionnaire are also asked for their vessel’s greenhouse gas (GHG) data, energy and consumption ratings and NoX emissions compliance data.

Veson Nautical’s dry bulk information management

The enhancements in this latest version of the questionnaire contain tips from the Baltic Council

The enhancements in this latest version of the questionnaire incorporate suggestions from the Baltic Membership Council, industry partners and subscribers to Veson Nautical’s dry bulk information management service, Q88 Dry.

Using Q88 Dry to complete the Baltic99 Questionnaire with integrated certificate management makes it easy for owners and operators to share vessel particulars and certificates with your charterers and brokers,” Tor-Arne Berger, Senior Product Manager at Veson Nautical said.

Data and enhanced safety requirements

The Baltic99 Questionnaire remains the industry pioneering questionnaire for commercial fixtures in the dry bulk industry,” noted Janet Sykes, Chief Commercial Officer at Baltic Exchange.

This latest revision includes several key developments linked to important emissions-related data and enhanced safety requirements to ensure charterers are hiring the right vessel for their needs and expedite the vessel acceptance process.”

Veson Nautical on the Baltic99 Questionnaire

We are pleased to once again partner with Veson Nautical on the Baltic99 Questionnaire as we all work together to drive the maritime industry forward to a more sustainable and efficient future,” Skyes added.

Both companies are now urging owners and operators to verify that their vessel data is accurate, complete and up to date.