Japan: Tokyo Steel shifts scrap transport to rail, cuts emissions

• Emission reduction rate stands at 32%
  
  
• Modal shift from road to rail initiated
  
  

Japan Metals Daily:Tokyo Steel will begin a modal shift initiative from 8 May to transport part of its steel scrap via rail instead of road. The move will apply to shipments from its Tokyo Bay Satellite Yard in Funabashi, Chiba, to the Utsunomiya plant in Tochigi, aiming to improve logistics efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

Dedicated containers, structured logistics flow

As part of the initiative, the company has developed 20 dedicated 20-foot containers designed for top-loading steel scrap, along with special chassis capable of carrying two containers. Under the new system, scrap is first transported by trailer to Tokyo Cargo Terminal Station, then moved by rail to Utsunomiya Terminal Station, and finally delivered to the plant by road. Each container can carry around 10.1 t, with daily rail movement estimated at about 40 t.

Emission reduction, collaboration with logistics partners

The project is expected to deliver significant environmental benefits. Around 2,200 t of mill scale transported in the reverse direction will help cut CO emissions by approximately 628 t annually, a reduction of 32% compared to previous methods. This marks the first instance in Japan of an electric arc furnace steelmaker adopting dedicated container-based rail transport for scrap. The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with Japan Freight Railway Company, JR Freight Logi Solutions, and Mars Transportation.

Partial shift with scope for expansion

Currently, Tokyo Steel transports 300-400 t of scrap daily from Tokyo Bay to Utsunomiya. The rail-based system will initially account for about 10% of this volume, with the share rising to nearly 20% (around 80 t/day) when additional container usage is included. The initiative reflects the companys broader push toward sustainable and efficient supply chain operations.

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