Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) has selected International Bechtel Co Ltd (Bechtel) as the engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contractor for its landmark Line 6 Expansion Project. 

Bechtel will be responsible for the design and construction of the sixth potline as well as providing industrial support services. 

Alba will be the world’s largest single-site aluminium smelter upon completion of Line 6, its output rising 540,000 tonnes per year to take total production capacity to 1,500,000 million tonnes. Line 6, which has an investment of $3.5 billion, will have 424 pots using the proprietary EGA DX+ Ultra technology thus significantly increasing operating efficiencies. Production is expected to begin in early 2019.

Line 6 is one of the largest brownfield developments in the region involving also the creation of a 1,350 MW power station and other industrial services. JP Morgan, Gulf International Bank (GIB) and National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) are the financial advisors of the project. The expansion will be a significant economic boost for Bahrain as it will create many co-investment opportunities as well as significant employment opportunities for its citizens. 

Commenting, Alba’s chairman Sheikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa said: “The appointment of Bechtel is a step forward towards delivering the Line 6 Expansion Project, which is a significant milestone for the Kingdom of Bahrain. Alba and Bechtel have a history that spans over 25 years, and we are confident that Bechtel will deliver excellence at all times.”

Bechtel’s president for mining and metals, Shaun Kenny, remarked: “Bechtel is grateful and privileged to have been selected to work with Alba to develop the sixth potline. Our shared values of safety and quality, high expectations and pride in achievement have underpinned project success since our first engagement with Alba over 25 years ago, to our most recent, the completion of Line 5 in 2005. When Alba added Line 5, it was at that time the world’s longest potline. We are proud to be working with Alba again to add Line 6, to make Alba the largest single-site smelter in the world and mark another world-class achievement for Bahrain, Alba and Bechtel.”

Bechtel has extensive industry-specific experience in the region. As well as Line 5 it was the EPCM contractor for Line 4. 

SABIC TEAM

A high-level delegation from the Saudi Arabian Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) led by vice chairman and acting CEO Yousef Abdulla Al Benyan visited the smelter. Present in the team were Alba board member Abdul Aziz Al Humaid and other senior officials. Sabic Investment Company holds 20.62 per cent of the shareholding. Other shares are held by Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Co (69.38 per cent) and the general public (10 per cent)

Alba’s chief financial officer Ali Al Baqali and chief marketing officer Khalid A Latif welcomed the Sabic delegation and presented them with an overview of Alba’s operations and the Line 6 expansion project.

“We at Alba believe in the regional role that our company plays in spearheading economic diversification efforts. Maintaining close relations with other major players in the region like Sabic helps in sharing knowledge and best practices that support the growth and prosperity of the Arabian Gulf region,” said Al Baqali.

“We are pleased to welcome Al Benyan to Alba and we look forward to future cooperation between the two companies.”

Sheikh Daij: ‘Bechtel’s appointment a step forward’

The company enriched its safety performance with another milestone.

Its Reduction Maintenance and Services department achieved 2.5 million work hours without loss time injury (LTI).

The achievement emphasised Alba’s continuous drive  to maintain a zero accident work environment within the company, Alba said.

“Safety achievements are a collaborative effort and represent the level of awareness of all Alba employees,” said chief executive Tim Murray. “I would like to congratulate our employees for accomplishing this feat and working towards our infinite objective of achieving a zero accident work environment.”

OTHER EVENTS

Alba extended support to the University of Bahrain’s Career Day event which was inaugurated by Minster of Education Dr Majid bin Ali Al Noaimi and UOB president Dr Riyadh Hamza.

The company’s acting director of administration, Dr Elham Al Eid, who attended the event, said: “We, at Alba, believe in the importance of supporting talented Bahrainis through the provision of attractive career opportunities and ongoing training programmes. Our participation in the UOB’s 16th Career Day is an excellent opportunity for us to meet students and educate them on what Alba can offer in terms of future career and training options.”

Alba has been a regular participant of the UOB’s Careers Day since its inception in 1999 and the company’s stand has always attracted a large number of students eager to know about the company and the career opportunities that it offers.

Meanwhile, the company demonstrated its commitment as a frontrunner in corporate citizenship by backing the Bahrain International Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award 2016 at an event organised by the Bahrain CSR Society and held at the Regency Hotel last month.

The opening ceremony, held under the patronage of Minister of Energy Dr Abdul Hussain Ali Mirza was attended by Al Baqali and Latif among other Alba officials.

“Alba believes in its responsibility towards the community in which its operates, and as an active corporate citizen we believe that it is imperative for us to emphasise our strategic focus on the development of the Bahrain community and the society that made Alba one of Bahrain’s flagship assets,” said Al Baqali.

“We also hope that such conferences will help in bridging the gap between corporations and the society, while providing excellent opportunities to exchange the knowledge-base and expertise in the field of CSR and sustainable growth”.

The company also hosted some of its key local, regional and international customers and suppliers at the 2016 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, which was held from April 1 to 3 at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), Sakhir. 

Alba’s invitees were invited to watch the three-day international sporting event as well as meet with the company officials to further develop business relations. 

Al Baqali said: “The Formula One Grand Prix is not only an international sporting event but also provides an opportunity to showcase Bahrain’s attractiveness as a commercial and leisure destination. It is our pleasure to host our clients during this prestigious sporting event and further strengthen our relationship with them.” 

A key aspect of the Formula One visit was the tour of the smelter that guests undertook. It gave them an insight on Alba’s operations, its production processes and safety, health, and environment systems.