ALVANCE British Aluminium has entered a 10-year leasing agreement with VTG Rail UK for the supply of 20 modern 4 axle powder tank wagons, marking a major step forward in the transformation of our rail logistics between the Port of Blyth in Northumberland and our Fort William smelter in Lochaber.

The new wagons, which replace a fleet of 2 axle models that have been in service since the late 1980s, will nearly double the payload capacity per trip. This upgrade will reduce the number of annual rail journeys required from 107 to 76 – a 30 percent reduction that delivers meaningful gains in both efficiency and environmental performance.

This week saw the official handover of the newly commissioned wagons, which are now ready to enter operational service. Their introduction forms part of a wider infrastructure upgrade at our Blyth site, where a significantly enhanced rail loading facility is on track for completion in the coming weeks, ensuring compatibility with the new fleet and long-term logistics resilience. The transition has been carefully planned to maintain uninterrupted alumina supply to our 24/7 smelting operations

Tom Uppington, Managing Director of ALVANCE British Aluminium, said:

“This handover marks a significant milestone in our logistics modernisation programme. Our partnership with VTG, the UK’s leading private rail wagon leasing company, is helping us move more efficiently, more sustainably and with greater resilience. These new 4 axle wagons, combined with major infrastructure upgrades, will enable us to carry higher payloads per journey, reduce the carbon intensity of our operations and support the long-term sustainability of our supply chain.” 

He added:
“The outgoing fleet has served us well for more than three decades, but the demands of modern manufacturing and our climate commitments require smarter solutions. This project represents a multimillion-pound investment in future-proofing our logistics, supporting both operational efficiency and our reduction in our carbon footprint.” 

Archie Lucas, Sales & Account Manager at VTG commented, saying: 

“The introduction of the JPA wagons into service with Alvance British Aluminium is a significant achievement for both of our companies. VTG has had the pleasure of working closely with Alvance to understand how to best-serve their business and operations and transform this into a tangible wagon solution within Alvance’s required timeframe. The project to prepare the wagon fleet has been delivered successfully to specification, a credit to all parties involved and the partnership between them. 

VTG are proud to have contributed towards the sustainability and longevity of Alvance’s supply chain, with these wagons set to serve Alvance long into the future. The fitment of VTG iWagon to this fleet is now fast-approaching, and we are truly excited to see the further gains that this brings in terms of efficiency and safety.” 

The project has also brought benefits beyond the rail line, supporting a variety of local contractors in Blyth and Fort William during the upgrade phases – bringing investment into local economies and strengthening regional capability. 

The next phase of the project will see the wagons retrofitted with VTG’s advanced iWagon technology. Originally designed for bulk powder transport, these wagons will benefit from integrated real time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and improved fleet management – adding another layer of intelligence and resilience to our logistics chain. 

This upgrade project reflects ALVANCE British Aluminium’s commitment to continued investment, low carbon transport and integrated supply chain excellence – reinforcing its position as a world leader in sustainable aluminium production. 

For further information, please contact: 

Colleen MacLean 

• Email: Colleen.MacLean@alvancegroup.com 

• VTG Rail UK: http://www.uk.vtg.com