British Steel Secures 36,000 Tonnes Rail for Ankara-Izmir

British Steel secured 36,000 tonnes of rail for Turkiye’s 599 km Ankara-Izmir high-speed line, with 2026 deliveries.

March 15, 2026 2:17 am | Last Update: March 15, 2026 2:18 am

⚡ In Brief: British Steel has secured a multi-million GBP contract to supply 36,000 tonnes of rail to ERG International Group for Turkiye’s 599 km Ankara–Izmir high-speed line, with deliveries scheduled throughout 2026.

SCUNTHORPE, UK – British Steel will supply 36,000 tonnes of rail for the new Ankara–Izmir high-speed line in Turkiye under a contract with project implementer ERG International Group. The deal, valued in the tens of millions of GBP, is supported by UK Export Finance. Deliveries of the 60E2 profile rail are scheduled to take place throughout 2026.

What Does This Contract Cover?

The agreement covers the full supply of 36,000 tonnes of 60E2 rail, a profile frequently used for high-speed and heavy-use corridors. The rails will be delivered in 36-metre bars to be installed along the new 599 km line connecting Turkiye’s capital with the port city of Izmir. In the UK, the contract has enabled British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant to move to 24/7 production and has resulted in the creation of 23 new jobs.

Key Contract Data

Parameter	Value
Contract Name	Ankara-Izmir High-Speed Line Rail Supply
Total Value	Tens of millions of GBP (Specific value not disclosed)
Parties Involved	British Steel (Supplier), ERG International Group (Buyer), TCDD (Operator), UK Export Finance (Support)
Timeline / Completion	Deliveries throughout 2026
Country / Corridor	Turkiye / Ankara–Izmir

How Does This Compare to Similar Contracts?

This export contract provides a significant boost to UK manufacturing, though its value is a fraction of major domestic rail investment. For context, the UK government has committed up to £45 billion for the Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) project, a figure that dwarfs the “tens of millions” value of this single supply deal (Source: Construction News, 2026). The comparison highlights the strategic importance of securing multiple international contracts to complement the scale of domestic infrastructure programs and maintain production continuity for UK-based suppliers.

Editor’s Analysis

Securing this multi-year Turkish contract offers British Steel a critical buffer against potential softening in the domestic UK market. Market data for 2025 indicates a decline in new-build demand for railcars in the UK freight sector, with order backlogs also decreasing (Source: TradingView, 2025). By winning this significant export order, British Steel diversifies its revenue streams and ensures plant utilisation at a time when reliance on the domestic market alone could present commercial risks.

FAQ

Q: What specific type of rail is being supplied?
A: The contract is for 36,000 tonnes of the 60E2 rail profile. This profile is an international standard for high-speed and heavy-traffic lines, chosen for its strength and durability under demanding operational conditions.

Q: How much faster will the new Ankara-Izmir line be?
A: According to the project proponents, the new 599 km line is projected to reduce travel time between Ankara and Izmir by over 10 hours compared to existing options. Once complete, the line will be operated by Turkiye’s state railway company, TCDD.

Q: What is the estimated US Dollar value of the contract?
A: The specific value was not disclosed, but “tens of millions of GBP” suggests a wide range. Based on recent exchange rates (1 GBP = 1.3374 USD), this would equate to a value between approximately $26.7 million and $133.7 million USD, though the final figure remains unconfirmed.