COPENHAGEN, March 4 – The Sea Cargo Charter (SCC) has welcomed Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the world’s largest single-site aluminium smelter, as its newest signatory. This move significantly expands the SCC's reach within the global aluminium sector and underscores the growing industry commitment to transparency and decarbonization in maritime shipping.
Alba, headquartered in Bahrain, boasts an impressive annual export volume of over 1.62 million metric tonnes of aluminium products, serving more than 270 customers worldwide. With a strategic global footprint that includes sales offices in Zurich, Singapore, and a subsidiary in the United States, Alba's operations span across the Americas, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Europe, and Asia.
"The inclusion of Alba marks a significant milestone for the Sea Cargo Charter, further solidifying our influence and sectoral reach," stated Rasmus Bach Nielsen, Chair of the Sea Cargo Charter. "Alba's commitment to joining our initiative highlights the increasing role of aluminium producers in driving a more transparent and sustainable shipping industry. We are delighted to have them on board."
By becoming a signatory, Alba aligns itself with other industry leaders like Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and South32, reinforcing the collective effort to adopt responsible and sustainable shipping practices. This partnership also strengthens the SCC's geographical representation, marking Alba as the second signatory from the Middle East and the first from Bahrain.
"Alba's decision to join the Sea Cargo Charter reflects our unwavering commitment to sustainable practices and a cleaner, more environmentally responsible future," said Ali Al Baqali, Alba's CEO. "We firmly believe that by collaborating with industry leaders, we can drive meaningful change within the maritime shipping sector and significantly reduce our environmental impact. The Sea Cargo Charter's mission to promote transparency, accountability, and decarbonization aligns perfectly with our core values, and we are proud to contribute to this vital initiative."
The Sea Cargo Charter provides a global framework for measuring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions from shipping activities, aligning with the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) ambitious decarbonization targets. This framework enables companies to benchmark their shipping emissions against industry averages and track progress towards emission reduction goals.
The IMO has set targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 levels, with a strong emphasis on pursuing efforts towards phasing them out as soon as possible in this century. The SCC supports this by providing a consistent method for calculating and disclosing emissions, enabling charterers to make informed decisions and drive demand for cleaner shipping solutions.
Alba's addition to the SCC reinforces the initiative's growing momentum across key industry sectors, showcasing a collective commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable supply chain practices. As more aluminium producers and other industry stakeholders join the SCC, the charter solidifies its position as a leading force in promoting transparency and accountability in maritime emissions, paving the way for a more sustainable future for the global shipping industry.
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