British Steel Secures Major Turkish Rail Contract Worth Tens of Millions
British Steel has achieved a significant international milestone by securing a contract valued at tens of millions of pounds to supply rail for a major high-speed electric railway project in Turkey. This eight-figure agreement, which is supported by UK Export Finance, involves the delivery of 36,000 tonnes of rail to ERG International Group, marking a substantial boost for the UK steel industry.
Job Creation and Production Resumption
The contract has led to the creation of 23 new positions at British Steel's Scunthorpe plant, providing a welcome employment boost in the region. Additionally, the deal has prompted the company to resume round-the-clock rail manufacturing for the first time in over a decade, signaling a revitalization of production capabilities. This move is expected to enhance operational efficiency and meet the demanding delivery schedule for the Turkish project.
Project Details and Economic Impact
The rail supplied by British Steel will be used in the construction of a 599-kilometer railway line connecting Turkey's capital, Ankara, with the city of İzmir. This high-speed rail network is set to transform transport infrastructure in Turkey, reducing journey times between the two cities by more than 10 hours. Beyond improving passenger and freight services, the railway will contribute to emissions reductions by offering a lower-carbon alternative to existing transport modes.
Lisa Coulson, British Steel's chief commercial officer, emphasized the importance of the contract, stating, "Securing this prestigious contract – with the support of UK Export Finance – was a major achievement and underlines British Steel's ability to build the sustainable track systems of the future." She also highlighted the firm's gratitude for the UK Government's support and expressed optimism about securing more orders for their world-class products.
Industry and Government Reactions
Craig Harvey, British Steel's commercial director for rail, noted the company's proven track record in supplying high-speed rail projects globally. "We have a distinguished record of supplying into high-speed rail projects across the world and have previously delivered rail into Türkiye through ERG for earlier phases of the Ankara to Izmir line," he said. Harvey described the contract as "the catalyst" for resuming 24/7 production and expressed hope for supplying additional steel products to the project.
Industry Minister Chris McDonald welcomed the order, stating, "UK-made steel is renowned for its high quality, and this order is welcome news for British Steel. Supporting deals like this is at the heart of our Steel Strategy." He added that such projects help sustain skilled employment and reinforce the quality of British steel for ambitious engineering endeavors worldwide.
Partnership and Future Collaboration
Melike Erdem, CEO of ERG International UK, described the agreement as "another major milestone in our long-standing partnership with British Steel." She confirmed that the Ankara-Izmir high-speed rail line is progressing rapidly and that the agreement ensures the delivery of top-tier rail products. Mohamed Ibrahim, ERG International UK's chief commercial officer, expressed pride in deepening collaboration with the UK supply chain, indicating that this agreement paves the way for further joint projects.
The rail will be supplied in 36-metre lengths of 60E2 rail throughout 2026, with the completed railway to be operated by Turkish State Railways. This contract not only strengthens British Steel's position in the global market but also underscores the UK's role in supporting sustainable infrastructure development abroad.
