Alba shuts three smelting lines as Hormuz disruption hits operations

Riyadh, March 15, 2026 (SABN) - Aluminium Bahrain, known as Alba, said on Sunday it had begun shutting down three aluminium smelting lines representing 19% of its capacity to preserve business continuity amid ongoing disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.

The move marks the latest impact on the Middle East aluminium sector, which accounts for about 9% of global supply, from the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Alba, which has aluminium smelting capacity of 1.62 million tonnes per year, said it had initiated a controlled and safe shutdown of reduction lines 1, 2 and 3.

The company said the targeted action was aimed at supporting operational stability across reduction lines 4, 5 and 6.

Alba issued force majeure on March 4, saying it was unable to ship metal to customers because of the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The disruption has also prevented Middle East smelters from receiving vessels carrying alumina, a key raw material used in aluminium production.

Fears of shortages pushed London Metal Exchange aluminium to a nearly four-year high of $3,546.50 a metric ton on Thursday.

Energy supply has also come under pressure in the sector. Qatar’s Qatalum began a shutdown on March 3 following a suspension of its gas supply and is now operating at 60% capacity.

Alba said it would use the shutdown to carry out asset care and maintenance on the three lines, including housekeeping and cleaning work, to support a safe restart when conditions improve.

The company said it was also working closely with suppliers and customers to manage commitments and limit disruption.