Aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange rose by more than 5% on 4 March 2026 to $3,418 a tonne, the highest level since April 2022. Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) said it had halted shipments of the metal to some customers and declared force majeure on supply contracts. The company said the disruption relates to logistics and shipping in the Strait of Hormuz area, while the plant remains operational. Norsk Hydro said its joint venture in Qatar, Qatalum, is starting to shut down installations, and a full restart could take between six and 12 months.
The Middle East accounts for about 8% of global aluminium supply, and a significant share of exports and raw-material deliveries to smelters passes along routes linked to the Strait of Hormuz. Aluminium premiums in Europe also increased, with the Rotterdam premium reaching $436 a tonne, the highest level in about 3.5 years. In the US, the aluminium premium rose to a record $1.075 per pound.
Estimates indicate that more than 5 million tonnes of aluminium pass through the Strait of Hormuz each year, increasing the impact of disruption on the metal’s availability. Companies in the region said they are seeking alternative transport solutions to fulfil deliveries.
