December 03, 2008

TATA Corus Teesside Cast Products slab export in 2007 surges

It is reported that TATA Corus Teesside Cast Products has become the world’s leading exporter after sending 2.4 million tonnes out into the global market in 2007. The figure is an increase on 2006’s export figure of 1.6 million tonnes and 900,000 tonnes in 2005.

As per reports, 2.4 million tonnes of slab was primarily exported in 2007 to a consortium of international steelmakers including Duferco, Marcegaglia, Ternium Imsa and Dongkuk as part of a landmark 10 year off take agreement with Teesside Cast Products.

The has come on the back of continued investment in the plant, technical development and the creation of a EUR 10 million rail link to Teesport. Corus has worked in partnership with PD Ports and between them they have invested more than EUR 10 million to ensure world class performance in handling and dispatch of slabs.

To streamline the export of its steel slab, Corus invested in a new rail link direct from its slab yard to Teesport. PD Ports also invested in specialized forklifts, cranes and associated handling equipment to further improve efficiency. The rail link was completed in September 2006 and that, coupled with the performance improvements and the benefits from the investments at both businesses, has seen shipments rise from 20,000 tonnes per week to 50,000 tonnes per week.

Mr Jon Bolton MD of Teesside Cast Products said that "We have come a long way since 2005. It is fantastic to see that Teesside Cast Products is exporting more steel slab than any other steelmaker. We continue to invest in the plant, our people and processes and we plan to continue to push our export rate even higher over the next few years."