Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) said repairs at its Al Taweelah smelter may take up to a year after the facility sustained significant damage during an Iranian missile and drone attack on the Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi on 28 March.
"To resume operations at the smelter, EGA must repair infrastructure damage and progressively restore each of the reduction cells," the company said in an update published on 3 April. "Early indications are that a complete restoration of primary aluminium production could take up to 12 months."
Iran hit the facility on 28 March, injuring several employees.
Iranian steelmakers Khouzestan Steel (KhSC) and Mobarakeh Steel were struck by air raids attributed to the US and Israel on 27 March, damaging storage facilities and power infrastructure, officials said. Iran was preparing retaliatory strikes on Gulf steel producers, according to the Tasnim news agency, which is linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Al Taweelah produced 1.6mn t of cast metal in 2025, according to EGA.
EGA is a major bauxite importer, bringing in 11.15mn t in 2025 and 10.65mn t in 2024, according to Kpler data, and is a significant Capesize charterer.
Some vessels destined for Al Taweelah are currently delayed because of the de facto closure of the strait of Hormuz. The Amarantos, which loaded in Takoradi, Ghana, on 20 February, has been idling between Mozambique and Madagascar for several days and has since been redirected to Kandla, India, Kpler data show. The Clivia Oldendorff, carrying Ghanaian bauxite, remains idling between Mozambique and Madagascar, according to Kpler.
