The commodity shipping industry is evolving rapidly. As emerging leaders take charge, technologies like AI are redefining demand forecasting, route planning, and pricing strategies. Stay ahead by equipping yourself with the knowledge and skills that “Rail Shipper 101” offers.

Our comprehensive program offers:

In-Depth Learning: Engage in sessions covering both foundational and advanced topics in rail logistics.
Expert Insights: Learn from industry veterans and thought leaders.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers and professionals to expand your industry network.
Professional Development: Earn Professional Development Hours (PDH) to bolster your credentials.

By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped to navigate the complexities of rail shipping with confidence.

SPACE IS LIMITED, SO EARLY REGISTRATION IS HIGHLY ADVISED.

Note that the course has been conveniently timed and located to allow participants to also attend either NCTA’s Spring Conference or its Operations & Maintenance Conference. Attendance at either of those events requires separate registration at the preceding links.

Course Schedule


Morning Session (General Logistics 101 for All Attendees)


8:30 AM – 9:15 AM

Logistics 101: Foundations of Transportation in the Mining Sector

  • Overview of transportation modes and their role in commodity shipping.
  • Rail transportation basics: types of railcars, freight movement, and industry terminology.
  • Integration of trucking, intermodal, and warehousing into mining logistics.

9:15 AM – 10:00 AM

Railroading 101: Understanding the North American Rail Network

  • Fundamentals of rail infrastructure: yards, tracks, and service networks.
  • Key stakeholders: railroads, shippers, and third-party service providers.
  • How railroads prioritize traffic and allocate capacity.

10:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Break

10:15 AM – 11:00 AM

Technology and Artificial Intelligence in Logistics

  • Emerging technologies in the transportation and logistics sector.
  • Role of AI in logistics optimization: forecasting demand, route planning, and pricing analysis.
  • Real-world examples: AI-powered tools for railcar tracking, predictive maintenance, and cost optimization.
  • Leveraging big data for actionable insights in mining logistics.

11:00 AM – 11:45 AM

Transloading and Warehousing Essentials

  • Transloading: What it is and why it’s critical for mining logistics.
  • Best practices for managing warehousing and outdoor storage.
  • Real-world examples of efficient transloading and storage solutions.

11:45 AM – 12:30 PM

Optimizing Delivered Costs Across All Modes

  • Total transportation cost analysis: Rail vs. truck vs. intermodal.
  • Tools and strategies for cost optimization.
  • Case study: Reducing delivered costs for mining commodities.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Working Lunch


Afternoon Session: Two Separate Tracks


Track 1: Operational Logistics for Fleet and Infrastructure Management

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM
Railcar Maintenance and Fleet Optimization

  • Key maintenance requirements for railcars.
  • Common challenges and solutions for fleet upkeep.
  • Managing costs and improving uptime through preventative maintenance.

1:15 PM – 2:00 PM
Rail Engineering and Track Maintenance

  • Basics of track infrastructure and engineering for mining operations.
  • Capacity planning and loading/unloading infrastructure.
  • Collaborative approaches to improve efficiency and reduce downtime.

2:00 PM – 2:15 PM
Break

2:15 PM – 3:00 PM
Railcar Storage Strategies

  • Short-term vs. long-term storage solutions.
  • Understanding storage costs and compliance requirements.
  • Best practices for managing storage during market shifts.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Rail Fleet Lifecycle Management

  • Evaluating when to lease, buy, or retire railcars.
  • Long-term planning for fleet expansion or contraction.
  • Metrics and KPIs for managing fleet performance.

Track 2: Commercial Logistics for Business and Strategy Management

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM
Negotiating Freight Rates and Contracts

  • Freight rate structures and influencing factors.
  • Strategies for negotiating favorable rail freight contracts.
  • Identifying and evaluating optimal lanes for pricing.

1:15 PM – 2:00 PM
Railcar Leasing and Procurement

  • Types of railcar leases (full-service, net, bare).
  • Selecting the right lease structure for your business.
  • Managing lease contracts and ensuring flexibility.

2:00 PM – 2:15 PM
Break

2:15 PM – 3:00 PM
Transloading, Warehousing, and Outdoor Storage

  • Identifying the best transloading facilities for your supply chain.
  • Managing warehousing costs and optimizing storage solutions.
  • Outdoor storage considerations and environmental factors.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Data Monetization and Advanced Logistics Strategy

  • Leveraging data to identify trends and opportunities.
  • Utilizing tools to enhance data visualization.
  • Integrating technology to enhance logistics decision-making.

3:45 PM – 4:30 PM

Rejoining as a Group: Wrap-Up and Q&A

  • Key takeaways from each track.
  • Open forum for questions with instructors from both tracks.
  • Resources for continued learning and next steps.

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Networking Reception (jointly held with attendees of NCTA’s Spring and O&M Conferences)

SPACE IS LIMITED, SO EARLY REGISTRATION IS HIGHLY ADVISED.