GB Railfreight has begun operating a new freight service for Tata Steel UK.

The service will run from the Port of Bristol at Portbury to the steelworks at Port Talbot.

GBRf will move the imported steel slabs until the end of 2027, when a new three million tonne-per-year Electric Arc Furnace is due to be commissioned.

To minimise downtime, the Bristol Port Company is supposed to provide the service by allowing the use of their battery-powered lifting magnets, which will be used to lift the slabs of steel.

“We are always looking for innovation and ways to improve our own productivity and to provide industry-leading service for our customers. Innovations such as the new lifting magnets from Bristol Ports help us achieve this. It’s fantastic news that we’ll be moving steel for Tata for the next two years as they prepare to transition to low carbon steelmaking.”

Alex Kirk, Commercial Director of GB Railfreight