Norwegian aluminum producer Norsk Hydro has announced that aluminum production at its Qatalum joint venture in Qatar is continuing at approximately 60 percent capacity, following confirmation from its gas supplier of continued deliveries at a reduced level.

The controlled curtailment began on March 3 following notification from QatarEnergy regarding an imminent halt in gas supplies. The supplier has now communicated that gas will be provided for the time being, albeit at a volume that limits production to around 60 percent.

The reduction has been carried out in a safe and controlled manner, which, according to the company, improves the conditions for a future restart to full capacity. The timeline for such a restart is not yet known.

The situation is further impacted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has led to disruptions in maritime shipping. Hydro stated that it is working to mitigate the effects of both the production cut and the transport disruptions. The safety of employees at Qatalum remains the highest priority.

Qatalum is owned 50 percent by Norsk Hydro and 50 percent by Qatar Aluminum Manufacturing Company. The facility has an annual production capacity of 648,000 tonnes of primary aluminum. In 2025, Qatalum generated an adjusted net profit of 1.3 billion Norwegian kroner on a 50 percent basis.