Emirates Global Aluminum is using offshore stocks to counter ship-loading delays caused by Middle East conflict, according to a letter to customers seen by Bloomberg. The UAE's top aluminum producer acknowledged delays loading finished metal on ships and sailings are occurring but assured deliveries won't be impacted for several weeks.

EGA is mitigating disruptions by opening additional ports and leveraging stocks already outside the UAE. The Middle East accounts for about 9% of global aluminum production capacity, with major producers using the Strait of Hormuz - a key shipping passage off Iran - to ship metal and bring in raw materials. Concerns over shipping disruptions caused aluminum prices to jump the most in over eight months on the London Metal Exchange.

The company operates smelters in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where debris from an aerial interception caused a fire at one berth at Jebel Ali port over the weekend. EGA confirmed there are currently no operational disruptions at its UAE sites. The aluminum producer is owned by Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Investment Co. and Dubai's Investment Corporation of Dubai.