SCUNTHORPE, UK — In a major resurgence for British heavy industry, British Steel has secured an “eight-figure” contract to supply 36,000 tonnes of rail for Turkey’s ambitious high-speed rail network. The deal, announced on February 18, 2026, has acted as a historic catalyst for the company’s Scunthorpe plant, which has resumed round-the-clock, 24/7 manufacturing operations for the first time in over a decade.
The agreement with the ERG International Group will see the delivery of high-performance 60E2 rail throughout 2026. The materials are destined for the Ankara-İzmir High-Speed Railway, a transformative 599km (372-mile) electric line designed to bridge the Turkish capital with the western port city of İzmir.
A “Ten-Hour” Revolution
The Ankara-İzmir project is more than an infrastructure upgrade; it is a geographic redefinition. Once fully commissioned in 2027, the line is expected to:
- Slash Travel Times: Reducing the current rail journey between the two cities by more than 10 hours.
- Decarbonize Transit: Providing a high-capacity, low-carbon alternative to road and air travel, expected to serve 13.3 million passengers annually.
- Boost Trade: Enhancing freight capacity for Turkey’s Aegean hub, a vital commercial artery.
Economic Lifeline for the North
The contract, valued at tens of millions of pounds, arrives at a critical juncture for British Steel. Following a period of financial uncertainty and the UK government’s intervention in 2025 to stabilize the Scunthorpe steelworks, this export win provides a much-needed injection of commercial momentum.
Backed by UK Export Finance (UKEF), the deal has already created 23 new skilled roles at the Scunthorpe site. British Steel’s Chief Commercial Officer, Lisa Coulson, described the contract as a “major achievement” that underlines the company’s ability to build the “sustainable track systems of the future.”
Strengthening the UK-Turkey Corridor
This latest agreement builds on a growing partnership between the UK supply chain and Turkey’s Ministry of Transport. It follows a similar £35 million contract announced by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in late 2025 and a separate major project connecting Mersin, Adana, and Gaziantep in southern Turkey.
As the Scunthorpe furnaces burn through the night, the project serves as a flagship example of “Global Britain” in action—exporting specialized, high-value engineering to support one of the most ambitious transport infrastructure programs in the Middle East and Europe.
Key Project Specifications (2026)
| Feature | Details |
| Total Rail Weight | 36,000 Tonnes |
| Rail Type | 60E2 High-Performance Rail |
| Section Lengths | 36-metre segments |
| Line Length | 599km (Ankara to İzmir) |
| Operator | Turkish State Railways (TCDD) |
