The exclusive rail freight executive roundtable, hosted by Ab Ovo, brought together top C-level peers to explore new business strategies, technologies, and regulations for enhancing the competitiveness of the rail freight industry. This event focused on sustainability—a topic of vital importance to everyone in the sector.
Moderated by Nikos Papatolios, Chief Editor of RailFreight.com, the roundtable offered a platform for industry leaders to engage in open discussions on topics ranging from market trends to operational efficiency and collaboration opportunities. The expert panel, featuring representatives from rail operators, infrastructure managers, and product owners, led engaging discussions with the audience.
Willem Jan Groenewoud, CEO of Ab Ovo, opened the event, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and sustainability in driving the future of rail. The speakers presented forward-thinking ideas and shared real-world case studies that provided attendees with valuable insights.
Dr. Thorsten Bieker, Vice President of Bulk Logistics & Site Services at BASF SE, delivered a highly insightful presentation. BASF, a major user of rail freight, highlighted the crucial role that Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) plays in their operations. Dr. Bieker emphasized that the correct implementation of DAC is essential for ensuring efficiency at BASF, noting that millions of euros could be saved or lost depending on the execution. This topic resonated strongly with participants, showcasing the financial impact of technological advancements in rail logistics.
Saulius Vaičekauskas, COO of LTG Cargo, detailed how the company continues to advance its digital transformation journey. LTG Cargo is leveraging digital solutions to stay closely connected with its customers, a strategy that could serve as an inspiring example for other European rail freight operators.
Infra managers from Infrabel – Joke van den Dooren, and Trafikverket – Linda Thulin also shared their insights, stressing the importance of data sharing and collaboration as key strategies to bring more traffic to rail freight. Infrabel has set ambitious targets to more than double rail freight traffic at the Port of Antwerp, while Trafikverket explained their systematic approach to increasing volumes along the Scan-Med corridor.
The roundtable discussions, held after the main presentations, allowed participants to dive deeper into these topics, brainstorming ways to make rail freight more competitive. This invitation-only event provided the perfect environment for C-level executives to network, exchange knowledge, and explore future collaboration opportunities.
The overwhelming success of this event has further solidified Ab Ovo’s reputation as a leader in the rail sector. If you missed this opportunity, make sure to follow Ab Ovo, the rail leader, and sign up for the next roundtable!
