British Steel secures agreement to supply 36,000 tonnes of rail for Turkish high-speed project
- BlogSmarter AI
- Edited by Steph Locke
- Blog
- February 18, 2026
- Updated:
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British Steel has confirmed it will supply 36,000 tonnes of rail to the Turkish high-speed railway project connecting Ankara and İzmir. The deal, which represents an eight-figure agreement, was secured with the ERG International Group and is supported by UK Export Finance.
The project involves the construction of a 599-kilometre high-speed electric railway line, which aims to significantly reduce rail travel time between Ankara and İzmir by over 10 hours. Additionally, the line is designed to lower carbon emissions, supporting sustainability goals in rail transport.
Boosting British Steel’s Production
As part of this agreement, British Steel has ramped up its production capacity to meet the requirements of the contract. For the first time in more than 10 years, the company has introduced 24/7 rail manufacturing operations. This expansion has also led to the creation of 23 new roles at the company, highlighting the agreement’s positive impact on local employment opportunities.
Lisa Coulson, Chief Commercial Officer of British Steel, commented on the achievement, 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. It also demonstrates the importance of British Steel, the UK’s only manufacturer of rail, to this country’s economy and Britain’s global trading partners.
“We are extremely grateful for the UK Government’s support in sealing this contract and look forward to working in partnership to secure more orders for our world-class products.”
Collaboration with ERG International Group
The agreement involves the supply of 60E2 rail in 36-metre lengths to ERG International Group, which is delivering the project on behalf of the Turkish government. Deliveries are set to take place throughout 2026, with the line scheduled to be operated by the Turkish State Railways once commissioned.
Melike Erdem, CEO of ERG International UK, expressed her enthusiasm for the ongoing partnership:
“Today marks another major milestone in our long-standing partnership with British Steel.
“The Ankara–Izmir High-Speed Rail Project is progressing at pace, and this agreement ensures the delivery of world-class rail products that meet the highest standards of quality and performance.”
Conclusion
This latest agreement not only underscores the global reach of British Steel’s manufacturing capabilities but also highlights the UK’s role in supporting international infrastructure projects. As the Ankara–İzmir high-speed line takes shape, the collaboration between British Steel and ERG International Group is set to deliver both economic and environmental benefits on a significant scale.
What this deal means for UK steel manufacturing
What is UK Export Finance and why does it matter for steel exports?
What does 60E2 rail mean and why does the specification matter?
How does a contract of this scale affect production planning for a steel mill?
Related reading
- UK Negotiates EU Agreements to Counter Steel Tariffs — the broader context of UK trade policy for steel exports
- Another Suit Wants to Buy British Steel — the ownership uncertainty running alongside major export wins
- AI vs. Spreadsheets: Smarter Production Planning — how production planning tools handle large-scale scheduling challenges
About the Author
Editor· Co-founder & Head of Product
Steph Locke is Co-founder and Head of Product at GoSmarter AI — former Microsoft Data & AI MVP building practical tools to cut paperwork and automate compliance for metals manufacturers.
