Registrations are now open for the ARA Rail Freight Conference – the only national conference dedicated to the rail freight sector.
The conference will bring together senior executives from the rail freight and intermodal sectors to discuss the latest developments and research in the industry.
Thank you to our event partner
Silver sponsor
Lanyard sponsor
Partnership opportunities are available, check out the ARA Rail Freight Conference partnership prospectus.
The ARA Rail Freight Conference stands as the sole national conference dedicated to the rail freight sector. Bringing together senior executives from the rail freight and intermodal sectors, this two-day conference presents a crucial opportunity to stay informed on the latest developments in the industry. Anticipating more than 200 attendees, the event will take place in the vibrant city of Sydney.
Beyond the rail freight sector, this conference is open to community or council representatives keen on exploring the opportunities that rail freight can bring to their region.
The program will include presentations on:
- Sustainability
- Technology and innovation
- Inland rail
- Intermodal and ports
- Supply chain
- Operations and productivity
What will the conference cover?
Presentations will cover the issues of sustainability, technology and innovation, Inland Rail, intermodal and ports, supply chain, workforce harmonisation and education and upskilling and interoperability and productivity.
Keynote speakers and panelists
The keynote speaker, Mark Mazurek, CEO of Linfox, will focus on trends and market demands impacting freight customers and freight forwarders and the role that rail plays in the sector.
The newly appointed National Rail Safety Regulator and Chief Executive of the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR), Natalie Pelham, will give an update on ONRSR’s 2024 priorities and Australia’s vision for national rail reform, while Wayne Johnson, CEO of ARTC, will address the conference on building national network resilience.
The conference will also hear from the Chair of the National Transport Commission (NTC) Carolyn Walsh on the NTC program of work to progress interoperability.
Confirmed speakers:
- Aurizon managing director Andrew Harding – industry view on strategic priorities and issues impacting the sector.
- Asia-Pacific, Deutsche Bahn Engineering and Consulting GmbH Executive Director Milind Nirmal – Germany’s success story of combining freight and high speed rail infrastructure.
- KiwiRail CEO Peter Reidy – NZ freight market and business outlook.
- Pacific National Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer Saskia Groen-in’t-woud – policy priority issues and strategic focus areas.
- Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts A/Dept Secretary Paula Stagg – National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy
- Victorian Department of Transport and Planning – Victorian Port Rail Shuttle Network metropolitan terminal strategy and proposed rebate strategy.
- ARA General Manager of Freight and Heavy Haul Georgia Nicholls – Future of Freight campaign priorities.
Panel discussions on a range of topics with guests including:
- Mike Gallacher CEO Ports Australia
- Michael Hopkins CEO NTC
- Harry Roberts Technical Director Jacobs
- Hermione Parsons CEO Australian Logistics Council
- Tristan Anderson Executive Advisor Critical Infrastructure and Supply-Chain Strategy, GHD
- Kylie Hargreaves, Chief Sustainability officer, National Intermodal Corp
- Sam Crowford, Head of People, Arc Infrastructure
- Andrew Newman Director Policy and Strategy, Freight Victoria