The South African Heavy Haul Association (SAHHA) is hosting its conference from August 2 to 4 at Emperor’s Palace, in Kempton Park, Gauteng.

This year’s conference theme: ‘Safe, resilient and efficient heavy haul’, was prompted by the challenges the rail network system is facing. These challenges are impacting on the predictability and safety of rail services.

“There is a need to find solutions that will prevent major safety incidents such as derailments. The heavy haul logistics system also needs to be more resilient against climate change issues related to extreme weather such as excessive heavy rains that wash away the rail infrastructure and extreme temperatures that affect the condition of railway tracks and rolling stock,” explains SAHHA chairperson Brian Monakali.

Theft and vandalism of rail infrastructure have also affected the efficiency and safety of the system, he notes, adding that “there is no other perfect time than now to find solutions to these challenges”.

This year’s conference will cover topics such as human capital, strategic matters, loading, offloading, shipping, infrastructure and rolling stock.

Monakali says South Africa’s rail rolling stock should be designed, manufactured and continuously maintained to achieve a safe, resilient and efficient heavy haul logistics system.

Should rolling stock fall short in this regard, he cautions that rail infrastructure could be damaged, trains could be derailed and equipment could malfunction.

Additionally, inadequate and unsafe rolling stock could lead to a loss of lives, high operating costs and loss of revenue for train operators and their clients.

Rolling stock can be made more safe, resilient and efficient through technological advancements and engineering solutions, which are some of the topics that will also be covered at this year’s conference.

Monakali adds that the conference provides a platform for the entire heavy haul logistics industry to collaboratively find solutions to improve the safety, resilience and efficiency of the local rail system.

Further, this year’s conference scope has expanded to cover the entire heavy haul logistics value chain – from train loading at mines to vessel loading at ports, or pit-to-port, to enable attendees to identify synergies, share solutions and foster integration in the execution of operations.

The SAHHA conference aims to unpack the National Rail Policy to understand its implications and the opportunities it presents for the local rail industry and associated stakeholders.