British Steel wins high-speed electric railway contract in Turkey

British Steel has announced its involvement in a major project to create a lower-emission transport link between Turkey’s second-largest container port and inland cities. This initiative aims to significantly reduce CO2 emissions by over 150,000 tonnes annually, enhancing the transport infrastructure in southern Turkey. British Steel President and CEO Xijun Cao expressed delight at the contract award, highlighting the dual benefits of infrastructure improvement and environmental impact.

UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK government's export credit agency, is facilitating this project with €781 million (£680 million) in financing. This financial support, provided through UKEF’s Buyer Credit Facility, enables the development of the 286km Mersin-Adana-Gaziantep High Speed Railway. The project will be carried out by Rönesans Holding on behalf of the Turkish Ministry of Transport, with British Steel being one of the key suppliers.

The railway project will see the first shipments of rail transported from British Steel to Turkey in the second quarter of 2024. British Steel will supply thousands of tonnes of track for the railway, connecting Mersin with Adana, Osmaniye, and Gaziantep. This significant infrastructure project is expected to enhance regional connectivity and support economic development in southern Turkey.

British Steel’s involvement in this project underscores its commitment to providing high-quality solutions to its customers. The company is proud to contribute to a project that not only boosts transport infrastructure but also delivers substantial environmental benefits. This collaboration between British Steel, UKEF, and Rönesans Holding highlights the importance of international partnerships in achieving sustainable development goals.