On January 8, Karabuk-based Turkish long steel producer Karabuk Demir Celik San. Ve Tic Sti. (Kardemir) announced that it has shipped the first batch of rail track supplies to Syrian Railways, based on the agreement signed by the parties on August 20, 2009. Accordingly, Kardemir has so far shipped 7,200 metric tons of UIC-60 (860-O) 900A grade rail tracks, of the total delivery order of 36,000 metric tons.
Talking to the press, Kardemir general manager Fadil Demirel stated that production of the second batch of the supply has also been completed at the company's plant, which is capable of producing 400-450,000 metric tons per year of rail tracks up to 72 meters in length. He went on to comment, "We are the only company which does not only meets the track needs of its country but also the demand in the region. There is no other rail track producer in the Middle East or in Africa. We are in an advantageous position in the region."
"We will also become competitive in the region's section market, and we will push forward in the markets with rounds. There are not many companies capable of doing this," Mr. Demirel concluded.