Steel is essential for Europe’s economy: its railway infrastructure, construction, automotive manufacturing, machinery, and the energy transition. While some sectors remain under pressure, long-term investment in infrastructure renewal and industrial modernization helps ensure steel will remain indispensable for decades to come.

At the same time, the industry is transforming. Steel production accounts for around 5–7% of EU CO₂ emissions*, making decarbonization one of its biggest priorities. As steelmakers adopt new production technologies and increase the use of recycled materials, supply chains are changing and efficient rail logistics are becoming more important than ever.

New Production Methods, New Transport Flows
The biggest change is happening inside the steel mill. As more producers transition to green steel production, recycled steel scrap is becoming one of the industry’s most valuable raw materials. The result is a fundamental shift in transportation flows: While demand for traditional raw materials is expected to decline over time, reliable scrap logistics are becoming increasingly important. This transition supports a more circular economy, reduces emissions, and reinforces rail as an efficient mode of transportation.

The Right Railcar for Every Steel Product
Every steel product has different transportation requirements. GATX supports the entire steel supply chain with specialized railcars for coils, long steel products, and recycled steel scrap.

• Shimmns Railcars
  5-coil Shimmns railcars and 7-coil Shimmns railcars protect steel and light steel as well as aluminum coils from weather and damage while maximizing payload.
• Eamnos and Eanos Railcars
  For heavy scrap transportation, reinforced 64 m³ Eamnos railcars with durable Hardox steel floors withstand demanding loading conditions, while the larger 83 m³ Eanos railcars, also equipped with Hardox steel floors, are designed for more voluminous scrap, supporting the growing circular economy.
• Snps Railcars
  Ideal for the transportation of long steel products, the GATX Snps railcars complete the portfolio, serving construction projects and railway infrastructure across Europe. Many of the wagons are equipped with Tectan-lined loading supports, providing enhanced protection against wear and mechanical damage when transporting steel beams, rails, and other long products.

Beyond providing the right railcars, GATX also shares expertise in safe loading, cargo securing, and railcar handling, because safety is our top priority. Trainings take place at handover or upon request at customer site or the GATX Training Academy in Lehrte, Germany.

Connecting Europe’s Steel Corridors
From the Rhine-Ruhr industrial region and Austrian steel producers to recycling hubs in Duisburg and customers across the Benelux countries and France, GATX supports steel producers, scrap processors, logistics providers, automotive manufacturers, construction companies, and railway operators throughout Europe’s steel supply chain with a modern railcar fleet.

*https://op.europa.eu/es/publication-detail/-/publication/fd3b326a-8aed-11ec-8c40-01aa75ed71a1/language-en