Aluminum Bahrain (Alba), the operator of the world’s largest single-site aluminum smelter, has officially initiated a strategic production cutback. This decisive move follows a severe slowdown in maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global trade, which has significantly hampered the delivery of essential raw materials.

​Operational Strategy & Risk Management

The company announced a "safe and controlled shutdown" of reduction lines 1, 2, and 3. This reduction affects approximately 19% of Alba’s total annual capacity, which stands at 1.6 million metric tonnes. According to official sources, the primary goal is to optimize the current inventory of alumina while prioritizing operational stability for lines 4, 5, and 6.

​Market Impact: Record Highs on LME

The geopolitical tensions in the Middle East—a region responsible for 9% of global aluminum supply—have sent shockwaves through the London Metal Exchange (LME). Concerns over a potential supply deficit pushed aluminum prices to an all-time high of $3,546.50 per metric tonne this Sunday, March 15, 2026.

​Force Majeure and Regional Challenges

Alba previously declared "Force Majeure" due to its inability to export finished products and the difficulty of receiving raw alumina shipments. The crisis is not unique to Bahrain; regional energy challenges have also forced Qatar's Qatalum to operate at only 60% capacity following gas supply disruptions.

​Looking Forward: Maintenance & Recovery

During this downtime, Alba plans to conduct extensive scheduled maintenance and thorough cleaning of the affected lines. This proactive approach ensures that the smelter will be ready to resume full-scale operations safely and efficiently as soon as regional shipping conditions stabilize.