Luxembourg Rail Protocol Transforming Rail Asset Management

Railways Africa Magazine

In this edition of Coffee with the Editor, our editor Phillippa Dean sits down with Howard Rosen, Chairman of the Rail Working Group, at the Southern African Railways Association’s (SARA) annual conference and exhibition. The discussion covers the latest developments around the Luxembourg Rail Protocol and its growing influence on rail asset management globally. The protocol, which officially came into effect on 8th March 2024, is currently operational in Sweden, Spain, Luxembourg, and Gabon, making Gabon the first African country to implement it. With South Africa expected to ratify the protocol soon, other Southern African countries are likely to follow suit, marking a significant step forward for the region’s rail industry. Key topics include the implementation of the international registry for URVIS numbers (Unique Rail Vehicle Identification System) for rolling stock, the advantages of permanent identification in financing and regulatory frameworks, and potential future applications of URVIS for components like wheelsets and brakes. Howard Rosen also discusses how the Luxembourg Protocol is becoming essential to public-private partnerships (PPPs) in rail, digital tracking solutions for creditors, and the importance of cybersecurity in rail asset management.