In an exclusive interview, the president of the International Heavy Haul Association (IHHA) and a consultant at MRS Logistics, Antônio Merheb, talks to Renata Passos about what he is expecting from the 12th edition of the association’s premier event, which takes place at the end of this month in Rio de Janeiro.
AFTER 18 years, Brazil is once again the
stage for the International Heavy Haul Association’s (IHHA) conference, which
in this 12th iteration will focus on the “Application of Innovations in Heavy
Haul for a Sustainable World.” Primarily, the event will aim to showcase how
environmental issues have become more prominent in the sector in recent years.
“Until 2019, sustainability and
decarbonisation within the heavy haul sector was not widely discussed by rail
companies around the world,” says IHHA president and consultant at MRS
Logistics, Mr Antonio Merheb. “However, railways are currently recognising the
mode’s role in contributing to a more sustainable world.”
According to Merheb, the growing importance
of environmental issues has placed rail at the centre of the debate.
“The rail sector is recognised as the
transport mode that emits the lowest level of polluting gases, which makes it
an attractive option to reduce the environmental impact of freight transport,”
he says. “Faced with this reality, there has been a need to invest in
technologies and solutions that increase the capacity of rail transport. This
involves making trains longer, heavier and faster in order to optimise system efficiency
and productivity.”
The development of technology such as train
automation and battery traction has enabled the railway sector to improve its
operational efficiency and further reduce its carbon emissions. “These
innovations have a significant impact on the decarbonisation of rail transport
and are considered key to driving sustainability in the sector,” Merheb says.
Event highlights
IHHA’s first post-pandemic conference,
taking place between August 27 and 31 in Rio de Janeiro, is being organised in
partnership with local co-hosts MRS Logistics and Vale.
Out of a total of 508 papers submitted, the
technical committee has selected 200 for oral presentation and another 100 to
be presented in poster format, covering all conference themes including sustainable
innovation, track, bridges and tunnels, operations, rolling stock, motive
power, traction and energy efficiency, and human factors.
According to Merheb, the first day of the
conference will focus on the vision for heavy haul in 2030. The opening plenary
session will feature contributions from the president of MRS Logistics, Mr
Guilherme Segalla de Mello, the president of Loram, Mr Bradley Willems, and
South32 director of energy and logistics strategies, Mr Brian Monakali. There
will also be a moderated panel discussion with representatives from Rio Tinto,
MxV Rail, Transnet and Vale.
“The rail sector is recognised as the
transport mode that emits the lowest level of polluting gases, which makes it
an attractive option to reduce the environmental impact of freight transport.”
Antônio Merheb, president of the
International Heavy Haul Association (IHHA) and a consultant at MRS Logistics
Sustainability, a key theme for the first
time at this 12th edition of the conference, will be the highlight of the
second day’s plenary session, with the presentation of projects and initiatives
by speakers from several countries. A highlight of the programme will be the
panel moderated by the freight director of the International Union of Railways
(UIC), Ms Sandra Géhénot, taking as its theme “Analysing global challenges and
opportunities for rail sustainability.” The panel will include Transnet’s head
of planning and strategy, Mr Andrew Shaw, Vale director, Mr Daniel Novo, and
UIC president, Mr François Davenne.
The integration of the heavy haul value
chain, considering mines, railways and ports, will be discussed during the
morning of the third day, with presentations from subject specialists and
executives from companies active in the sector. The main presentation will be
given by a transport specialist at the World Bank, Mr Edpo Covalciuk Silva, on
the subject of “Railway reform, regulations and public-private partnerships as
key factors to unlock rail transport: a case study from Brazil and India.”
To close the conference programme the final
plenary session will address the next steps for the heavy haul sector.
The IHHA conference has gained importance
due to the growth of the heavy haul sector, which according to Merheb has
accelerated in recent years. “This growth is influenced by several factors,
including economic, political and regulatory aspects in different regions of
the world,” he explains. “Fluctuations in commodity prices, trade policies and
environmental regulations have a direct impact on this demand.”
The award of concessions to operate,
develop and maintain Brazil’s rail network to the private sector over the last
25 years has resulted in significant increases in rail’s share of the country’s
freight market to 21.5%, according to the National Logistics Plan (PNL) - 2035.
However, there is still considerable room for growth.
Brazil has a relatively low network density
when compared with countries of a similar size such as Canada, India and China,
but rail still plays an important role in Brazilian logistics.
In 2021, more than 93% of iron-ore for
export arrived at Brazilian ports by rail. Rail is also responsible for
carrying over 49% of bulk agricultural commodities in Brazil including 53% of
its sugar traffic, 58% of maize, and 46% of the output of soya producers, which
includes soya beans and bran.
“These numbers highlight the relevance of
rail as an efficient option for freight transport in Brazil,” Merheb says.
“However, it is important to continue investing in the expansion and
modernisation of the railway network, with a view to increasing its capacity
and coverage throughout the country.
“This would bring significant benefits to
the Brazilian economy, improving logistical efficiency, reducing transport
costs and increasing the country’s competitiveness in the global market.”