In December 2025, Metro Metals, a scrap exporter based in the U.S., shipped 50,000 metric tons of ferrous scrap from the Port of Vancouver, Washington, to İzmir, Turkey. The company stated that this was the largest single scrap cargo ever to leave that port.
Historically, ferrous scrap exports from the U.S. to Turkey come from the East Coast. Shorter sailing times and better freight rates encourage steady trade in that direction. In contrast, shipments from the West Coast to Turkey are rare and usually happen only under certain market conditions. Industry experts say these movements often happen when scrap supply is tight in Europe or when demand weakens in other markets. Metro Metals CEO Victor Winkler told Recycling Today in mid-January that the decision to focus on Turkey was largely due to a significant slowdown in Asian scrap markets. He pointed out that for years, Metro Metals had shipped large amounts to countries like China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. However, declining demand in those areas pushed the company to find new markets, and Turkey became a strong alternative.
From a trade standpoint, this shipment is significant when considered in the context of the overall U.S.-Turkey scrap trade. The U.S. is one of Turkey’s key scrap suppliers. According to United Nations COMTRADE data, Turkey imported about USD 1.9 billion worth of ferrous waste and scrap from the U.S. in 2024. With this in mind, Metro Metals' 50,000-ton cargo looks less like a standalone deal and more like a major move within an existing trade route, albeit through an unusual West Coast pathway.
The shipment indicates that, under specific market conditions, Turkish buyers are open to sourcing large amounts from less common U.S. locations when prices and availability match up. However, it's important to be cautious in interpreting this transaction. Market sources suggest that West Coast to Turkey shipments usually happen only once every few years and do not necessarily indicate a lasting change in trade routes. Factors like freight costs, price differences by region, and scrap availability in Europe will play a crucial role in deciding if similar shipments can happen again.
Sources: https://www.recyclingtoday.com/news/metro-metals-ships-steel-scrap-to-turkey/
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GÖNÜLTAŞ, Mehmet（Reporter）
Freelance journalist based in Istanbul, Turkey. He writes on international relations and diplomacy, with a focus on Japan–Turkey relations, military affairs, and democratic governance. His hobbies are running, language study, and traveling.
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