The Future of Rail Freight in Europe
5th Annual Conference: Back on track? Strategies for a return to growth
23rd & 24th November 2009, Berlin Intercontinental Hotel, Berlin
Conference documentation View the next event Register for alerts
Conference Agenda
Print ProgrammeMonday 23 November 2009, Berlin Intercontinental Hotel, Berlin
Day One
Chairman’s opening remarks details
by Oliver Sellnick, Director of Railway Undertakings, International Union of Railways

Oliver Sellnick
Director of Railway Undertakings, International Union of Railways
Oliver Sellnick
Director of Railway Undertakings, International Union of Railways
Biography
Responsible since 2005 for Freight and Passenger at UIC, the worldwide railway association with almost 200 members in Paris.
Managed the international long-distance business of Deutsche Bahn AG from 2002 onwards, including new projects like the Aleo cooperation between Frankfurt/Stuttgart and Paris, and the ICE International between Frankfurt and Brussels/Amsterdam.
Over ten years of experience in the airline industry with Lufthansa German Airlines: Major assignments included alliance management, low-cost projects, passenger marketing in the US, key account management for cargo and e-business
Started career with Dresdner Bank / Allianz in banking
Holds business degrees from McGill University / Montreal, INSEAD / Fontainebleau and European Business School, Frankfurt
SESSION ONE: CHALLENGING TIMES - ASSESSING THE STATE OF THE RAIL FREIGHT MARKET
Facing the crisis: assessing the challenges ahead
- What has been the impact of the economic downturn on the industry?
- Matching demand: growth vs. rationalising capacity
- Streamlining processes across the business: what are the priorities?
- What is the impact of consolidation across the sector?
- How can the environmental impact of rail freight be further reduced?
- Winning and retaining customers in a difficult market: opportunities and constraints
- Analysing current policy: recasting the First Package and creating a priority network
- From road to rail: how can industry work together to improve modal shift?
Balancing key priorities: sustainability and growth

Alan Gibson
Managing Director, ERS Railways
Alan Gibson
Managing Director, ERS Railways
Biography
Alan J. Gibson has been Managing Director of ERS Railways since February 2007, during which period the company has expanded impressively on its main corridors and initiated services in Scandinavia.
Formerly Director Area Operations with Maersk Line, he has also held various senior positions in finance, strategic planning, infrastructure development and operations in Sea-Land Service and APM Terminals.
Alan currently resides in the Netherlands with his wife & four children.
Challenging the status quo: taking advantage of a competitive market

Krzysztof Sędzikowski
President of the Board, CTL LogisticsOutlook for rail freight: assessing the impact of the economic downturn

Wouter Radstake
Senior VP Land Transport Research, DVB Bank
Wouter Radstake
Senior VP Land Transport Research, DVB Bank
Biography
Between 1989 and 1995 Wouter Radstake studied Technical Business Administration and Science of Public Administration at the University of Twente, the Netherlands, with the specializations Civil Engineering and Transportation. One thesis covered a set up how to organize the admission procedure for new railway companies in the Netherlands on behalf of ProRail and the Dutch Ministry of Transport. In 1994 Mr. Radstake started his working live as co-owner and managing director of courier company Ritzen Koeriers Twente v.o.f. which used the fact that students got an almost free pass to use the train. But rail forms the thread in his later working life as well. Mr. Radstake was involved in the establishment of Lovers Rail B.V. (1995; the first rail passenger competitor of the Dutch Nederlandse Spoorwegen in the Netherlands since 1917, now part of Veolia Transport), ShortLines B.V. (1995-2001, now part of Veolia Transport) and ERS Railways B.V. (2001-2005, now fully A.P. M¢ller owned). In 2005 and 2006 he was Senior Economist Rail at the Dutch Rail Regulator Nederlandse Mededingingsautoriteit, working on topics of capacity allocation and infrastructure charges.
Since 2006 Mr. Radstake keeps track of market developments which influence the market outlook and values of land transport assets in Europe and North-America in his position as Senior Vice President Land Transport Research at the leading specialized international transport finance bank DVB Bank. This task consists of amongst others independent analysis of the global and regional economy forecasts, transported commodities, rail and road volumes, raw material and fuel prices, fair market values, innovations, development of the European rail liberalization and rolling stock orders. On top of that, some M&A advisory work is done for key clients.
Questions from the audience
Refreshments
SESSION TWO: KEEPING RAIL FREIGHT COMPETITIVE - IMPROVING PERFORMANCE AND QUALITY
Enhancing performance and quality through greater transparency

Juergen Maier
Head of International Affairs and Projects, BLS Cargo
Juergen Maier
Head of International Affairs and Projects, BLS Cargo
Biography
Jürgen Maier is a department head with BLS Cargo and responsible for projects and international affairs.
In the past he has held diverse management positions with SBB, Airport Zurich and Crossair / Swissair with main focus in strategy, quality and general consulting.
He is very involved in the Know-How-Exchange between railways and aviation and experienced the advantages of ZEUS from a user perspective right from the beginning.
His last education part was a MBA at European University and University of Dallas
Surviving or thriving in the crisis

Emmanuel Mariani
Commercial Director, Angel Trains Cargo
Emmanuel Mariani
Commercial Director, Angel Trains Cargo
Biography
A graduate in Civil Transportation Engineering at the Politecnico di Milano, Emmanuel joined Angel Trains in 2003 as market and product analyst. Subsequently he took on commercial and account management positions and gave a substantial contribution to the development of Angel Trains’ business in Scandinavia and to the strengthening of the relationship with Angel Trains’ customers in several European markets. Emmanuel has been recently promoted to the role of Commercial Director of Angel Trains Cargo, Angel Trains’ business unit dedicated to the locomotives market.
A strong commitment to rail freight renewal: the IM’s perspective

Michel Croc
Regional Director, Réseau Ferré de France
Michel Croc
Regional Director, Réseau Ferré de France
Biography
Michel Croc has developed his career in major international infrastructure projects. Firstly in Algeria he participated in the design and construction of the new port of Arzew. Then in the new works department of the Paris Airports Authority (Aéroport de Paris), he was particularly responsible for the new airport at Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. He was also in charge of the design and construction of the Marseilles metro, and it was in this capacity that he engaged in technical exchanges with the Montreal, Mexico, Caracas and Algiers metro authorities.
From July 2004 to October 2009, he was head of the Provence-Alps-Riviera Regional Division of Réseau Ferré de France. Here he was in charge of infrastructure upgrading and development, the management of the railway network in the Marseilles area and the French Riviera, and the new high speed line project between Marseilles and Italy.
He is currently responsible for increasing the presence of RFF in the countries who wish to benefit from RFF’s experience of new and incremental HSR projects.
Questions
Lunch
SESSION THREE: INFRASTRUCTURE: IMPROVEMENT, INVESTMENT, INNOVATION
A European rail network for competitive freight

Patrick Rousseaux
Principal Administrator DG TREN, European Commission
Patrick Rousseaux
Principal Administrator DG TREN, European Commission
Biography
Principal Administrator, Rail Transport and Interoperability Unit
DG Energy and Transport – European Commission
Civil Engineer and Graduate in Economics
After 2 years as Research Assistant at the University of Louvain (Belgium), he worked as computer engineer (several fields and functions) in banks and later at the European Commission.
He has a deep knowledge of liberalisation and regulation of network industries.
Since 1993, he has followed the whole process of liberalisation of electricity markets. He is has been involved in the economic and legal aspects of the electricity sector in the European Union. He has also been strongly involved in the Cross-border issues of electricity. (Transmission Pricing, Congestion Management).
He has also launched the TransEuropean networks of energy.
Since June 2006 he has joined the Rail Transport and Interoperability Unit, in charge of freight issues.
He is in charge of the Commission proposal for a European rail network for competitive freight.
He is also desk officer for the Benelux.
Questions
DEBATE: What kind of network is needed to secure freight’s long-term growth?
The European Commission’s proposals for a freight priority network raised many questions about the best way to facilitate the growth of rail freight and improve quality of service.
In this session three speakers will outline their views on recent proposals for a freight priority network and debate the optimum network conditions for freight with each other and the audience.
Trains without borders? National bottlenecks and international corridors

Jean-Michel Dancoisne
Permanent Representative, SNCFWhy a freight priority network is the key to future growth

Tony Berkeley
President, European Rail Freight Association
Tony Berkeley
President, European Rail Freight Association
Biography
Tony Berkeley is President of the European Rail Freight Association, the grouping of private operators and other companies promote European rail freight transport and its stakeholders active in that area through the complete liberalisation of the market: He is also chairman of the Rail Freight Group, the representative body of the UK rail freight industry.
Tony sits in the UK House of Lords and was an opposition Transport Spokesperson 1996-7. He is Secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Rail Group and of the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group.
He was Public Affairs Manager of Eurotunnel from 1981 until the end of construction of the Channel Tunnel in 1994
He is a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport and Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
He is President of the UK Marine Pilots Association and a Harbour Commissioner for the port of Fowey in Cornwall.
A network for growth: outlining challenges for IMs details
Points to consider:
- An ambitious vision for rail freight: how can a priority network be achieved?
- What is the industry response to the draft regulations?
- What are the implications of using of high speed lines?
- Do different Member States have different priorities?
- Where will ERTMS fit in?

Michael Robson
Secretary General, EIM
Michael Robson
Secretary General, EIM
Biography
Michael Robson, Secretary General of the European Rail Infrastructure Managers (EIM), is a time-served railwayman having been in the industry for 35 years. During this time he has held various senior positions. He has experienced of working in an integrated railway, British Rail, a private stock market listed infrastructure company, Railtrack, and a company limited by guarantee and privately financed, Network Rail.
Working in these three different environments has given him a unique insight into railway structures there complexities and cultures. During his career, he has been involved in Operations, Performance, Timetabling, and Contract Management, Passenger and Freight Marketing and other retail activities in addition to the usual General Management and Project activities.
His previous post, prior to taking over as the EIM Secretary General, was as the Head of European Affairs for Network Rail where he was responsible for developing and implementing the Network Rail policy on European issues.
He sees his current role as promoting the railway, and in particular the interests of infrastructure managers, at all European levels including interfacing with the European Commission, Council of Ministers and MEPs. The other key role consists in ensuring that the EIM views are heard in the European Railway Agency (ERA) discussions on TSI development and in other standardisation bodies involved in this area.
Michael is married with one daughter. His hobbies include walking, gardening, travel, and good food and wine. Michael is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Transport & Logistics and the Institute of Management
Questions from the floor
Refreshments
SESSION FOUR: PEER-TO-PEER NETWORKING AND DEBATE
In this valuable networking session, delegates will get an opportunity to participate in one or more focused discussions of key industry issues with their peers. The discussions will start at 16.20 and each session will be moderated by a leading expert on the topic.
Roundtable One:
Innovation in quality of service
Moderator: Eric Peetermans, Chairman, UIC Combined Transport Group, and International Affairs, SNCB Holding
Roundtable Two:
Will European transport policy drive growth and modal shift?
Moderator: Oliver Sellnick, Director of Railway Undertakings, International Union of Railways
Roundtable Three:
Opportunities in a liberalised market
Moderator: Dr Johanna Ludvigsen, Chief Research Officer, Institute of Transport Economics
Roundtable Four:
Are the benefits of competition being realised in the European rail freight market?
Moderator: Wouter Radstake, Senior Vice President Land Transport Research, DVB Bank
Chairman’s closing remarks and end of day one
Tuesday 24 November 2009, Berlin Intercontinental Hotel, Berlin
Day Two
Chairman’s opening remarks
SESSION FIVE: ACHIEVING SUCCESS IN A COMPETITIVE MARKET
KEYNOTE OPENING ADDRESS: Developing the future of rail freight: new services in a competitive market

Christoph Wolff
Member of the Management Board Region East, DB Schenker
Christoph Wolff
Member of the Management Board Region East, DB Schenker
Biography
Dr. Christoph Wolff , member of the Management Board of DB Schenker Rail since May 2007, holds the position of 'Chairman Region East and Network Management'.
Dr. Wolff is responsible for expanding DB Schenker Rail's drive into Central and Eastern Europe. In particular, he is leading the build up of DB Schenker Rail Polska, a 350 Mio EUR operator, holding No 2 position in the Polish market. He also manages fast growing subsidiaries in Romania and Bulgaria.
Having studied engineering in Aachen and Zurich, Wolff joined McKinsey in 1992, becoming director of their German office in 2005. From 2001 he headed McKinsey’s Global sector dealing with railways and shipping, expanding operations into Asia (China, India and Russia).
Wolff previously spent four years in the United States as a Professor of operations management at Northwestern University and Managing Director of a logistics software firm in Chicago.
Achieving growth through a competitive market

Mats Nyblom
Chief Executive Officer, Hector Rail
Mats Nyblom
Chief Executive Officer, Hector Rail
Biography
Mats Nyblom graduated from the Royal Institute of Technology in 1984.
He started in the railway business in 1986 and worked for the Swedish State Railways until 2000, the last four year as Business Development Manager. In 2002-2003 he held a similar position in IKEA Rail.
In 2004 he, together with Ole Kjörrefjord and the Höegh family, founded Hector Rail. He has since the start had position as Managing Director for the company. During these five years of operation Hector Rail has developed to a company with operations in four countries and with a turnover > 30 MEUR/year.
Maximising the potential of rail freight: driving intermodal shift

Eric Peetermans
Chairman, UIC Combined Transport Group, International Affairs, SNCB Holding
Eric Peetermans
Chairman, UIC Combined Transport Group, International Affairs, SNCB Holding
Biography
Eric Peetermans was born in April 1950. After his education and his military
service, he joined the SNCB/NMBS (Belgian National Railways) in 1972, and
after his formative years, stepped into the rail freight activities.
He held several junior positions in administration, organisation and sales
before, after a stint at the Cabinet of the Minister of Transport in 1983-1984,
becoming at the end of 1984 the Head of the Brussels Area Commercial
Division of the SNCB.
From 1987 to 2001, he was Head of the Combined Transport Division of BCargo,
the freight unit of SNCB. In that quality he actively and directly
participated to most of the crucial issues that have structured the development
of Combined Transport since the beginning of the ‘90s.
From 2001 to beginning of 2004 he was head of the Sales Department of BCargo.
Since 2004, he is with SNCB Holding, and animates European affairs,
international institutional relations and international interface RU/IM issues in
freight. He is the leader of the UIC team that developed the GCU contract with
UIP and ERFA, and continues to work on the wagon issues, among others
with the joint working group that developed the wagon keeper status at
European level. He is presently also deeply involved in infrastructure capacity
issues, with the view of improving the place of Rail Freight on the rail
infrastructure.
Eric Peetermans is also the Chairman of the UIC Combined Transport Group
and Chairman of the UIC Wagon Users Group. He is also the Immediate Past
Chairman of Interunit.
He holds a Master Degree in Public Management (ULB, Ecole de Commerce
Solvay) and is married since 1972, with two children and two grandchildren.
Questions and discussion
Refreshments
SESSION SIX: INTEGRATED AND INTERMODAL details
STRATEGIC FORUM: Creating an efficient pan-European intermodal network
- Boosting capacity for rail freight: what are the key challenges?
- Improving operational performance and speeding up traffic flows
- Introducing and increasing sustainability measures
- Understanding and responding to customers’ changing needs
STRATEGIC FORUM: Creating an efficient pan-European intermodal network details
- Boosting capacity for rail freight: what are the key challenges?
- Improving operational performance and speeding up traffic flows
- Introducing and increasing sustainability measures
- Understanding and responding to customers’ changing needs
Developing opportunities: expansion plans for Europe’s largest rail freight hub

Sebastian Doderer
Project Manager Hinterland Traffic, Port of Hamburg
Sebastian Doderer
Project Manager Hinterland Traffic, Port of Hamburg
Biography
Project Manager
Holding a degree in industrial engineering and management with focus on logistics, Sebastian Doderer has worked for several consulting companies in Germany before joining the Port of Hamburg Marketing Association in 2007. Starting at the department of market research, he first was responsible for the analysis of the hinterland traffic at Germany’s largest seaport. Since 2008, he coordinates the association’s international logistics research activities, focusing on intermodal transport chains and port optimization concepts.
Mr. Doderer is married and father of a son.
Port of Hamburg Marketing Regd. Assn.
Being an association under private law, Port of Hamburg Marketing takes over the location marketing for the Port of Hamburg as well as for the member companies of the association. According to regulation its activities regarding companies and competition within Hamburg remain neutral. Port of Hamburg Marketing in Hamburg and its worldwide representative offices are the first addressees to answer any question concerning the Port of Hamburg.
Through its many and varied activities both in Germany and abroad, Port of Hamburg Marketing contributes to the strength of the Port of Hamburg’s competitive standing. Within Port of Hamburg Marketing, the departments of Market Research and Project Development are responsible for a wide range of tasks in the field of maritime traffic, port operation and hinterland traffic. Their personnel work in close cooperation with the associations member companies and are involved in the daily port business.
Working together for growth, accessibility and sustainability

Peter ten Broek
Business Manager Logistics, Commercial Affairs, Port of RotterdamHow can maritime ports contribute to the future of rail freight in Europe?

Géraldine Planque
Manager, Marketing and Strategy Department, Port of Marseille Fos
Géraldine Planque
Manager, Marketing and Strategy Department, Port of Marseille Fos
Biography
Geraldine Planque has been working at the Port of Marseille-Fos for seven years, first as the marketing and statistics manager then as the head of the Marketing and Strategy department of the Port. Her department is in charge of the corporate strategic plan, a reference document that provides an in depth analysis of the competitive, social and economic situation of the port (which is characterized by a 45 million tons annual traffic of crude oil out of a 100 million tons total traffic). She is also in charge of the definition of the port’s inland transportation strategies (rail, river, pipeline) including the development of dry ports in the hinterland, and of the traffic statistics.
Questions
Lunch
SESSION SEVEN: OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH IN RAIL FREIGHT
PANEL DISCUSSION: Improving the customer experience and increasing modal share details
- How can rail freight’s market share improve?
- What are customers’ priorities and how can freight operators meet them?
- How can different transport modes work together efficiently?
- Can rail freight help customers reduce carbon footprint?
- New areas for growth: what services should operators offer in the future?
Questions will be taken from the floor throughout

Dick van den Broek Humphreij
General Manager, EVO
Dick van den Broek Humphreij
General Manager, EVO
Biography
Via insurances (Winterthur Versicherungen), transport (Royal Nedlloyd Group), legal practice(Clifford Chance/Trénité), trade & production (Hunter Douglas), living and working in various countries, among which Germany, the U.K., France, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands Antilles, he is now, as its general managing director, active with EVO, the leading lobbyists organisation of shippers and of own account transport in the Netherlands.
He is also chairman of the European Shippers’ Council in Brussels and member of the Presidential
Executive of IRU in Geneva.
mr. Dick van den Broek Humphreij holds the Netherlands nationality.

Heiner Rogge
Secretary General, Clecat
Hartmut Albers
Managing Director, Trans-Eurasia LogisticsKEYNOTE CLOSING ADDRESS: The Trans-Eurasia Express - a new era for rail freight

Hartmut Albers
Managing Director, Trans-Eurasia LogisticsQuestions
Chairman’s concluding remarks and close of conference
- Registration Terms
- Privacy Policy
- Sitemap
- Contact Us
- © 2010 Marketforce
Site designed by New Brand Vision Group





