JCtrans: Hello, Mr. Samkelwa Madlabane. We know AfricaRail 2012 and Africa Ports & Harbors Show 2012 will be held on 25 - 29 June 2012. Then will you please make a brief introduction of them?
Mr. Samkelwa Madlabane: Africa Rail is the continent's leading rail event. It is Africa's only railway conference and exhibition with attendees from all over Africa. It is supported by government and industry alike. Co-located with the Ports & Harbours Show and exhibition - the Africa Rail exhibition drew over 1900 visitors in 2011. It brings sponsors and exhibitors face-to-face with key customers and prospects.
Africa Ports & Harbours Show is the continent's leading industry event. It focuses on everything the ports sector needs to know to attract and retain end-users, develop more efficient operations, and source new solutions.
It is Africa's only ports and harbours conference and exhibition with attendees from all over Africa. It is also supported by government and industry.
JCtrans: How do Africa Rail 2012 and Africa Ports & Harbors Show 2012 benefit the industry?
Mr. Samkelwa Madlabane: Africa Rail 2012 and Africa Ports & Harbours Show will bring together Government, Investors, Rail and Port Operators and End-users to discuss transport corridor development across Africa.
The Africa Rail program will address issues surrounding:
-Building drivers to attract investment
-Policy development
-Revenue generation
-Skills development - creating a sustainable industry
-Corridor development
-Rolling Stock innovation for the continent
The Ports & Harbours Show programme will address issues surrounding:
-Planning and design
-Efficiency and performance
-Investment
-Infrastructure and development
-Security and safety - both homeland and commercial security
-End user Port requirements
JCtrans: Is there any problem with Africa Ports, which demands prompt solution?
Mr. Samkelwa Madlabane: We wouldn't call them problems - they are seen as challenges within the ports industry with regards to Africa.
Firstly, lack of investment within the ports industry is a huge challenge that hinders the potential growth of infrastructure.
Development is also a challenge due to traffic growth, congestion and turn-around time at the port.
These objectives affect the operations performance, as well as the efficiency and delivery.
Another huge issue would be PORT SECURITY. This would be with regards to examples of piracy, theft, human trafficking.
These issues impact greatly on international trade and investment.
JCtrans: What else is there to Africa Rail 2012 and Africa Ports & Harbors Show 2012?
Mr. Samkelwa Madlabane: Africa Ports & Harbours Show includes 5 days of dedicated networking time. Meet with colleagues and decision-makers from port terminals, harbours, government - all the ports and harbours stakeholders in Africa.
Africa Ports & Harbors Show 2012 is sponsored by: SAMSA, Transnet Port Terminals and ARUP. The event is focused on end-users' expectations, shipping requirements, infrastructure development, port business models, efficiency and privatization, and funding and security.
While sponsored by: ARUP, Bradken, Wragge & Co., AFRICA RAIL 2012 is focused on rail business models, mining and export requirements, project development and implementation, operational efficiency, funding and concessions, strategic management, new technology, regulation and policy design and implementation. And Rail operators, Rail authorities, End-users (mine, manufacturing and more), Ports & intermodal operators, Logistics, Government, Investors and Financiers will attend this event. |
