This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our
and .overview
The Australasian Railway Association and Informa are pleased to be bringing our 10th Heavy Haul Rail Conference back to Perth. The conference will take place at the Ritz-Carlton Perth on the 14th and 15th April 2021.
The Australian heavy haul rail industry, boasting some the heaviest and longest trains, continues to lead the world in operations and innovation. With commodity markets regaining confidence, becoming an even more efficient supply chain for the export of coal and iron ore is fundamental to Australia’s productivity. The agenda will showcase the best in local and international project expertise and will give attendees an understanding of the strategic directions of the major industry players together with an update on developments in equipment, technology and maintenance to ensure efficient, safe and reliable operations.
INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTES SPEAKERS:
Lisa Stabler, President, Transportation Technology Center (TTCI); Chair: United States of America, International Heavy Haul Association (IHHA)
Jonathan Duvel, Principal Engineer – Track, Transnet Freight Rail, South Africa
Antonio Merheb, Rail Specialist, MRS Logistica SA, Brazil
MINISTERIAL ADDRESS:
The Hon Rita Saffioti MLA, Minister for Transport; Planning; Ports, Western Australia
Topics will include:
- Market outlook for Australia
- Heavy haul operations across Australia
- Infrastructure and investment
- Future technology, communications systems, cybersecurity and data capture and analysis
- Role of ports and port automation in successful heavy haul supply chains
- Rolling stock technology, innovation and maintenance
- Improving weld performance and the implementation of advanced simulation techniques for wheel/rail wear
- Software solutions for improved efficiency and optimisation of assets
- Workforce development and diversity
EXTENDED FOR 2021! Young Professionals rate (Under 35)* The ARA is delighted to offer reduced registration fees to young rail professionals, aged 35 years old and under on 23 March 2021, to attend this year’s ARA Heavy Haul Rail conference.
BUSINESS EVENTS GRANTS NOW AVAILABLE!
We are delighted to announce that Heavy Haul Rail 2021 has been listed on Austrade’s Schedule of Approved Business Events.
This means eligible businesses can apply for funding under the Business Events Grants Program to cover up to 50% of the costs of participating in attending Heavy Haul Rail 2021 as sponsors, exhibitors or delegates.
Grants from $5,000 to $250,000 per entity are now available.
The minimum grant amount has been lowered to $5,000 and the minimum expenditure amount has also been lowered to $10,000 (previously $20,000). This means that more exhibitors, delegates and sponsors will now be eligible for funding.
ACT NOW! Applications are currently open, and the deadline to submit has been extended until 30 June 2021.
Click here to view the FAQs and assess your eligibility.
Click here to apply.
speakers

Lisa Stabler
President, Transportation Technology Center (TTCI); Chair: United States of America, International Heavy Haul Association (IHHA)

Sue McCarrey
Chief Executive, Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator

David Owen-Jones
Rail Construction Manager, Downer

Ravi Ravitharan
Director, Monash Institute of Railway Technology (IRT)

The Hon Rita Saffioti MLA
Minister for Transport; Planning; Ports, Western Australia

Caroline Wilkie
CEO, Australasian Railway Association

Gary Evans
Operations & Integration Manager – ATMS, ARTC

Jonathan Duvel
Principal Engineer – Track, Transnet Freight Rail SA

Nithurshan Nadarajah
Deputy Team Leader, Monash Institute of Railway Technology (IRT) and ARA Future Leader

Kevin Piefer
Managing Director Australia, Holland Co

Claire Pierce
Executive Commercial Leader, Australia and New Zealand, GE Transportation, a Wabtec Company

Surendra Bisht
Technical Director – Rail, Aurecon

Dr Ali Parvizi
National Marketing & Sales, Traction, ABB Australia

Tony Crosby
General Manager Services, 4Tel Pty Ltd

Marion Terrill
Transport and Cities Program Director , Grattan Institute

Adrian Unwin
Senior Track Engineer, FMG Rail Track Maintenance

James Shaw
Senior Engineer – Systems, Calibre

Antonio Merheb
Rail Specialist, MRS Logistica SA

Christopher Zheng
Bachelor of Civil Engineering and Bachelor of Design in Architecture, University of Sydney

Mohammad Muzaffer
Bachelor of Civil Engineering and Bachelor of Design in Architecture, University of Sydney

Lido Costa
Principal AutoHaul® – AutoHaul® and Rail Productivity, Rio Tinto Iron Ore

Thims Moolemane
Operations Manager, Ensco Rail

Vivek Dhar
Director - Mining and Energy Commodities Research, Commonwealth Bank

Georgia Nicholls
General Manager – Freight Rail, Australasian Railway Association (ARA)

Tom Fisher
VP - APAC, Uptake

Joseph Totten
Principal Maintenance Engineer, BHP

Warren Wellbeloved
General Manager Rail, BHP Iron Ore
agenda
pricing
Event App
All delegates, sponsors, exhibitor, speakers and other attendees will be able to download the official Heavy Haul Rail app. The app allows attendees to network with each other, ask questions to speakers, check out the sponsors and exhibitors as well as watching the live stream (for virtual attendees). If you haven’t received your login, please contact Briana.Giraldi@informa.com
Download the user guide here to make the most of your app experience.
Technical Site Tour
Holland Rail Services & Aries Rail Facility
Date: Thursday, 15th April (end of day two)
Timing: 3.00pm – 5.30pm (pickup from and return to Ritz-Carlton)
Delegates will be transported to Wangara for a technical tour within the Equipment & Maintenance Facility from which Aries Rail manages fleet compliance for Holland Rail Services across WA’s heavy haul rail industry, providing services for many heavy haul rail customers including BHP, Rio Tinto and FMG. Delegates will experience a classroom and field demonstration of the production of flash butt welds using Holland’s new-to-market Flash Butt MobileWelder. There will also be a virtual demo (live from a remote location) on the collection and management of data in real time using Holland’s proprietary Intelliweld system. The site tour will conclude in Wangara at approx 5.00pm – travel time direct to Perth Airport is approx. 25-30 minutes.
The Site Tour is now at capacity, we will contact you if spaces become available.
Next Generation Conference Scholarships
Sponsored by:
Congratulations to the winners of the inaugural Next Generation Conference Scholarships!











We are delighted to be supporting the winners professional development and share their innovative ideas on how to market and promote the rail industry in a positive and impactful way, as well as educating the broader community’s perception of the benefits of rail.
Winners will receive:
- Complimentary attendance to the ARA Heavy Haul Rail conference and dinner, including extended access to the event online networking platform
- The opportunity to display ‘winning ideas’ as posters in the exhibition
- Certificates of acknowledgement at the conference dinner
Eligibility: Recent graduates and young railway professionals
Open to all recent graduates and young railway professionals who are 30yrs or under (as at 15 April 2021)
KEY DATES
Entries open: 17 December 2020
Competition deadline: 25 February 2021
Winners announced: 2 March 2021
Certificates presented at the Conference Dinner: 14 April 2021
ARA Women in Rail Lunch
When: Tuesday 13 April 2021, 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm AWST
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Waterfront, 1 Barrack Square, Perth, WA 6000
The ARA will be hosting the Women in Rail Lunch in Perth to be held alongside the 10th ARA Heavy Haul Conference on Tuesday 13 April 2021. The purpose of the event is to promote the value of a gender-balanced Australasian rail workforce, acknowledge the challenges that as an industry we need to overcome and foster a culture of appropriately championing diversity in rail. Prominent champions of diversity will present during the lunch.
The ARA Women in Rail Lunches were established in 2017 and form part of a broader industry initiative to promote, encourage and enable a greater level of gender diversity across the rail sector.
These events are always quick to sell out, so make sure you register today to secure your place.
For more information and to register visit: https://wirlunchperth2021.eventbrite.com.au
Health & Safety
The health and safety of our speakers, attendees and guests is our top priority.
Informa Australia’s events will be organised in accordance with Informa’s AllSecure health and safety standards. As the world’s leading events’ organiser, Informa has developed a detailed set of enhanced measures to provide the highest level of hygiene and safety at its events, providing everyone with reassurance and confidence they are participating in a safe and controlled environment.
All Informa events will be run according to official government and local authority guidance in the first instance, as well as any venue or location-specific regulations.
For information on what to expect at the Ritz-Carlton, please visit: https://whattoexpect.marriott.com/perrz
Travelling to Western Australia? For details on the WA Government’s protocols, please visit: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/covid-19-coronavirus
For further details about Informa Australia’s AllSecure Key Commitments, please visit: www.informa.com.au/allsecure
when & where
14 - 15 Apr 2021
The Ritz-Carlton Perth
1 Barrack St
Perth WA 6000
+61 8 6559 6888
RITZ-CARLTON SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION RATE:
Book direct with the Ritz-Carlton to receive the following special rates (available 13th April – 15th April 2021):
Deluxe Room: 320 AUD per night (room only)
Premier Room: 360 AUD per night (room only)
Book accommodation with HotelMaps
To access the best available rate, book here.
contact
Still have a question?
Diana Lauzi
Conference Manager
+61 2 9080 4313
diana.c.lauzi@informa.com
Sarah Ingram
Sponsorship Manager
+61 406 530 043
Sarah.Ingram@informa.com