South Africa has won the bid to host the Eleventh International Heavy Haul Association (IHHA) conference, which will be held in Cape Town from September 2 to 6, 2017 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

The IHHA has partnered with State-owned rail utility Transnet and the South African Heavy Haul Association to host the conference.

The conference theme, Advancing Heavy Haul Technologies and Operations in a Changing World, aims to address the recent market downturn characterised by low commodity prices, low gross domestic product growth rates and a slowdown in demand for freight bulk commodities such as coal and iron-ore.

“This conference will specifically focus on research and innovations related to how we can advance heavy haul technologies and operations to respond positively to the current market downturn, thereby contributing significantly to the survival and growth of the railways,” says Transnet Freight Rail executive manager Brian Monakali.

The event will begin with a technical workshop two days before the conference where international railway technical experts will present selected topics within the infrastructure and rolling stock fields.

Conference speakers will deliver presentations of their technical papers in research and development areas such as rolling stock, railway infrastructure and operations. Delegates will also be taken on technical tours, including  site visits to Transnet’s heavy haul railways and ports, as well as social tours to visit tourist attractions in Cape Town.

“Our market demand strategy at Transnet is aimed at providing capacity ahead of demand. We are constantly under pressure to find efficient and cost effective ways of increasing capacity,” said Transnet CEO Siyabonga Gama.

The event is expected to attract more than 1 000 delegates across the world.

The ten country members of the IHHA include Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Norway, Russia, Sweden, the US and South Africa.