Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the world’s largest smelter on one site, has become a signatory of the Sea Cargo Charter, underlining its commitment to sustainable maritime shipping. Alba is the first from Bahrain and the second signatory from the Middle East to join the Charter.

The Sea Cargo Charter serves as a global framework for assessing and disclosing the climate alignment of chartering activities of charterers and shipowners. It enables cargo-owners and shipowners to align their operations with responsible environmental practices driving the decarbonisation of international shipping and contributing to a more sustainable future for maritime shipping and society.

Speaking on this occasion, Alba’s Chief Executive officer stated:

“Alba’s commitment to joining the Sea Cargo Charter reflects our dedication to sustainable practices and a cleaner future. We believe that by working together with industry leaders, we can drive positive change in maritime shipping and reduce our environmental impact. The Sea Cargo Charter’s mission of promoting transparency, accountability, and decarbonisation aligns perfectly with our values, and we are proud to be part of this important initiative.”

Adding further, Rasmus Bach Nielsen, Sea Cargo Charter Chair, said: “With the inclusion of Alba, the Sea Cargo Charter continues to expand its influence and sectoral reach, reinforcing our shared commitment to responsible maritime practices. Alba’s membership underscores the increasing role of aluminium producers in shaping a more transparent and sustainable shipping industry, and we are delighted to welcome them to our initiative.”

72.6% of Alba products are exported worldwide through its Sales offices in Zurich & Singapore as well as Subsidiary in Atlanta – US.

About Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba)

[Ticker: ALBH]

A Global Aluminium Leader: At plus-1.62 million metric tonnes per annum (mtpa) (2024), Alba is a world-leading aluminium smelter with a proud 50-year legacy in operational excellence, safety, environmental responsibility, and community development.

Trusted Partner: A cornerstone of the Bahrain’s economy, Alba produces high-quality aluminium, including standard and value-added products, which are exported to over 270 customers globally. With sales’ offices in Europe (Zurich), Asia (Singapore), and a subsidiary in the U.S., Alba is a reliable partner on the world stage. Alba is dually listed on Bahrain Bourse and London Stock Exchange and its shareholders are Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company B.S.C. © (69.38%), Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden) (20.62%) and General Public (10%). Alba prioritises the highest quality standards, reflected in its certifications: ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environment), ISO 27001 (information security), ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety), and ISO 18788 (security operations management). Additionally, Alba demonstrates its commitment to responsible manufacturing through certifications like IATF 16949 (automotive quality), ISO 22301 (business continuity), and ASI Performance and Chain of Custody Standards. This dedication is further underscored by their top 1% Ecovadis Platinum rating for sustainability.

Pioneering Sustainability: As the first aluminium smelter in the Middle East, Alba is central to Bahrain's thriving downstream aluminium sector, contributing significantly to the Kingdom's GDP. Committed to social responsibility, Alba employs a workforce that is 86% Bahrainis (2023) and invests heavily in employee training and development. Alba also plays a crucial role in the Aluminium Downstream Park, therefore increasing the contribution of non-oil sectors to the GDP of Bahrain. Alba has been recognised for its initiatives to produce Aluminium responsibly through awards such as Top ESG performer in Bahrain by ESG Invest, Safeguard Label from Bureau Veritas and Best Corporate Governance Award by Ethical Boardroom.

Recognised for its environmental practices, social contributions, and corporate governance, Alba launched a comprehensive ESG Roadmap in 2022 focusing on 6 priority areas: (1) Decarbonisation, (2) Green Energy & Aluminium, (3) Circular Economy & Secondary Aluminium, (4) Employee Welfare, (5) Collaboration & Partnership and (6) Transparency, Communications & Due Diligence. Since its inception, Alba has invested into numerous environment, sustainable and socio-economic development projects that have had a positive impact on the society. Alba’s first-of-its-kind US$37.5 million zero-waste Spent Pot Lining Treatment Plant, Power Station 5 Block 4 Project, and the upcoming +6 MW Solar Farm Project are tangible initiatives aligned with Bahrain’s Net Zero Carbon Targets by 2060 led by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain. Specifically, Alba's PS5 Block 4 is a new 680.9-megawatt (MW) combined-cycle power plant that expands the existing PS5 facility. Block 4 will increase the nameplate capacity of PS5 Complex from 1,800 MW to 2,481 MW and reduce the Company’s overall GHG emissions intensity ratio by 0.5 tonnes of CO2 per 1 tonne of aluminium produced.

In a significant step towards its ESG goals, particularly its commitment to a circular economy and secondary aluminium, Alba introduced EternAlTM, its new line of low-carbon aluminium products. Launched in May 2024, EternAl offers two initial variants: EternAl-30 and EternAl-15, containing 30% and 15% recycled content respectively.

Safety First, Always: Guided by the motto "Safety First, Safety Always," Alba prioritises the well-being of its employees and contractors. The Company achieved a record-breaking 30 million safe working hours without a lost-time injury in September 2022. The Company has been recognised internationally for its excellent Safety and Health track record with awards such as the RoSPA President’s Award for winning RoSPA Gold Medal Award 10 years in a row, the British Safety Council’s International Safety Award with Merit along with 4-Star Audit Rating, as well as numerous awards from the National Safety Council (NSC).

Alba Stakeholder Engagement Plan

Alba prioritises open communication with all its stakeholders, including the community, environmental and social groups. Through its Stakeholder Engagement Plan, the Company proactively addresses environmental and social impacts of its operations, outlining clear mitigation controls. Alba also maintains an external Grievance Mechanism accessible through the Code of Conduct, allowing stakeholders and the public to voice concerns and raise issues.

Scan the above to Alba’s Stakeholder Engagement Plan

Alba’s External Grievance Mechanism

Alba prioritises ethical conduct and environmental responsibility. Stakeholders, employees, contractors, and the community can confidentially report any potential breaches of Alba's Code of Conduct or raise concerns about environmental and social impacts through the Alba Integrity Line. This independent, multilingual hotline operates 24/7 and is accessible via a toll-free phone number, the company intranet, or the website at www.albasmelter.com.

About the Sea Cargo Charter
The Sea Cargo Charter is a global framework for assessing and disclosing the climate alignment of chartering activities. It is designed to help the shipping industry reduce emissions in line with the latest International Maritime Organization’s GHG strategy, which targets net-zero emissions by around 2050. The Sea Cargo Charter aligns with these goals by establishing a shared methodology to track, report, and promote emissions reductions.

As one of three initiatives based on the same foundational principles developed with the Global Maritime Forum, the Sea Cargo Charter joins the Poseidon Principles and the Poseidon Principles for Marine Insurance in fostering transparency and accountability in emissions reporting, contributing to the global fight against climate change.