New Spoornet exec focuses on needs of intermodal sector

Crof hopeful of service improvement ALAN PEAT AFTER A sometimes stressful and uncommunicative year in its relationship with Spoornet, the end of 2006 showed positive signs of progress, according to the Container Rail Operators' Forum (Crof) chairman Peter Lewin of MSC Logistics. At a recent meeting in Johannesburg the Crof delegation was introduced to Tim Hansford, who has been appointed by Spoornet as a special project executive to focus on the development of its intermodal services. “We welcome this, and see it as a very positive move by Spoornet,” Lewin told FTW. “He has a wealth of experience under his belt that can only help with the improvement of the rail services that we require as an industry. “He has also clearly shown that he supports the principle of collaboration and transparency and we certainly look forward to a close and rewarding relationship with him.” Lewin also felt that this would help to overcome the problem of availability of Spoornet senior management who are continually under extreme pressure and do not always have the capacity to focus on the needs of the intermodal sector. “Credit must therefore be given to management,” he said, “for identifying the need to establish a position that would be specialised, focusing on the future development of the rail infrastructure and service to cater for a more competitive transport network and volume growth.”