When the going gets tough, the tough get railing

3rd July 2018 By: Creamer Media Reporter

When the going gets tough, the tough get railing

Earlier this year, it was widely reported that Zambia had passed a statutory ruling which instructed firms (affecting mostly Mining), to transport at least 30% of their heavy and bulk freight volumes by rail. To place this into perspective, it is estimated that only 5% of the total freight moved in Zambia occurs via rail, the remaining 95% is transported by road. The announcement came as a shock to many, with much criticism on the practical execution.

The Zambian Chamber of Mines was among the most vocal critics, re-affirmed by the concerns of many other bulk traders, calling the move “retrogressive” and “unworkable”.  Given that Zambia is largely a commodity driven economy, the “penalty” on bulk commodities is considered contrarian to growth. Furthermore, the Chamber’s negative assertions about the bill were based on notions that Zambia’s rail infrastructure is sub-par, inaccessible, unreliable, unscheduled and, therefore, is unfit to absorb greater market share of the freight transportation volumes.

With innovation and growth, many industries have moved away from traditional “old-school” ways of work. Rail is definitely one of the oldest modes around, and many do not view it in a good light. We need convenience, instant “on-demand” offerings with quick turnarounds. These “needs” have fueled (excuse the pun) the growth of road freight to the detriment of rail over the years, with a self-fulfilling prophecy. As more freight opted for road, systematically rail freight reduced. With this conversion, lower utilization of rail networks led to lower income and rail operators (mostly government owned and operated) were unable to reinvest, rehabilitate or enhance networks in many instances (amongst other excuses). As budgets got tighter operators also increased rail tariffs (against economic competitive logic), which of course, further threatened freight away from rail. This conundrum added with poor service delivery, has marred the African rail industry with a reputation not easily shaken, and made hunting for freight by truckers fairly easy. 

African governments have recognised the economic importance of efficient railway networks for bulk volumes, especially along value corridors. This has seen an increase in private concessions, operators and pressure on state-owned rail entities coming into play. Similar to Europe and America, this means competition, which should create price and service improvements. (Recommend reading “Architects of Poverty: Why Africa’s Capitalism needs Changing by Moeletsi Mbeki). 

The benefits of rail freight transport are vast:

  1. Congestion

     2. Road Maintenance

     3. Fuel Cost

     4. Health & Safety

     5. The Environment

Given that we can't stop the mining for "value" (i.e. the resource prostitution of our African continent), we should enable, mandate and accelerate a lighter footprint of these activities urgently... As such, the Zambian legislature earns an applause for the “contrarian move”. It is one small step for man, but one giant leap for Zambia in my opinion. Yet, a change in the mode of engagement is needed to materialize the 30% conversion target. Rail needs a rebrand, a refresh, and a new approach to increase utilization to have its “come-back”. In Zambia, and globally.

But how?

To find the solution, one should simply do the opposite of what has been done to cause the problem: replace opaqueness with transparency, high barriers to entry with ease of access, reduce rates to attract freight, and simplify it all with instant accessible automated booking systems, whilst providing better client service... The old, manual, arduous manner with opaque (uncompetitive) pricing methods, and limited scheduled trains is not viable. This mirage of frustration leads to a large contribution of the unused capacity (empties), where it is estimated that the average wagon in a typical rail network moves 45% of its gross distances empty, and the “default” of booking freight by road. Simply unacceptable.

[P.s. Road will always be critical to success, and needed, given rail accessibility constraints - they complement one another... case is for more optimal long-haul heavy freight by rail.]

Maybe a smart algorithmic enabled digital marketplace platform that can help match cargo, predict volumes, schedule trains, provide market-related transparent pricing, market excess wagon capacity, whilst providing instant easy freight bookings could be part of rail’s refresh? A portal that enables inter-modal complementarity - like expedia but for freight? How smart that would be?  

[Oh yes, the “smart new-kids on the block” developed that - it’s called RailFOX, by EmptyTrips... leading the way #illuminators]

There is a general trend of “going back to simpler times”, where the old ways of doing things are the better way of doing things. Be it artisanal beer brewed at home, or handmade knitted blankets. Sometimes old-school is best, especially if we give it some flair.

In summary, to quote a friend, “What is the difference between a squirrel and a rat? Marketing.”

So, let’s refresh rail, and “market” it great again, so the tough can get railing, and the rail can get moving.

All on board?

#green #triplebottomline #rail #innovate #whitespace #new #africa #environment #businesscase #value #win #warrenbuffett #tech #fintech #railtech #logitech #winners #africa #green #environment #seduce #intermodal #saveAfrica #treehuggers #evangelist #seedpitch #emptytrips #railfox #change #rufflinglegacyfeathers #illuminators #allonboard #saveourspecies #saveouranimals #saveourcontinent #wwfvoices

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