Industry body launched to address rail concerns

JOY ORLEK
A NEW industry body that aims to set up sound lines of communication between rail contract holders and Spoornet has just been launched.
Initiated by MSC Logistics director Peter Lewin, who has also been elected chairman, the Container Rail Operators Forum (CROF) is a network of major rail contract holders keen to use their combined strength to draw attention to issues of concern that impact on their customers.
“We’re not a big industry, but collectively our account facility with Spoornet runs into millions of rands,” says Lewin. “Through the forum we hope to gain recognition as one of the major roleplayers in the industry.”
A 3-man subcommittee comprising Lewin who is based in Durban, Jan Nair of Cross Country Containers, and Georgie Georgiev of MSC Logistics, both based in Johannesburg, was elected at the first meeting.
“First priority will be to make our presence felt with Spoornet senior management,” said Lewin. “Ultimately we would like to be involved as an industry at the early stages of new rail developments rather than being brought in after the event.
“We’re not there to do battle with Spoornet but rather to develop a relationship with them so that Spoornet and the industry will benefit from the results.”
And since the impact of the rail utility’s performance extends way beyond the rail leg, CROF intends to work closely with other industry bodies like the Container Liner Operators Forum (CLOF).
“A good example of the intermodal implications of the shortage of rail trucks relates to import containers currently discharged in Durban. These are attracting considerable storage charges from SA Port Operations because they’re being forced to wait longer than the free period for Spoornet wagons to arrive. It not only demonstrates the intermodal inter-dependence of rail and port performance, but represents an opportunity for a joint resolution of the problem.”
While members have in the past approached Spoornet individually to address issues of concern, CROF provides a neutral lobbying platform, says Lewin.