Qatalum starts exporting aluminium via alternative ports, Hydro CEO confirms

As reported to Reuters by Hydro, Qatar Aluminium is now exporting metals via ports in Kuwait and Oman, as well as a Qatari container port.

Qatar's Qatalum aluminium plant was facing outbound logistical challenges following a diplomatic row with neighbours in the Middle-East when Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt had severed diplomatic ties with Qatar and blocked shipments through their ports.  Hydro, one of the joint owners of Qatalum, said last week that alternative shipment routes were established for shipping their metal but did not divulge further details.

"There's a recently completed container port in Qatar which we've begun using, and we also have shipments through Kuwait and Oman, solving this for the short term," said Svein Richard Brandtzaeg, Hydro Chief Executive, during a conference.

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Hydro is however concerned over the regional tensions, Brandtzaeg said.  Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain cut diplomatic ties with Qatar creating a disruption in the smooth trading operations. It is noteworthy that the Qatalum plant produces more than 600,000 tonnes of primary aluminium annually and exports most of its produce.