Germany's EEX Group says all open dry bulk freight positions and options contracts will be novated from London-based LCH no later than 17 November.
The timetable was revealed at a press conference in London on Thursday.
EEX said the move could be made sooner, however.
LCH will close all its freight FFA positions on 29 December.
The deal to take over LCH's dry bulk business was announced in June as EEX pursued its ambition to become a global commodity exchange.
