Alba names Bechtel for EPCM $3.5bn contract

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Alba names Bechtel for EPCM $3.5bn contract

Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the Bahrain-based leading international aluminium smelter, is pleased to announce International Bechtel Co. Ltd. (Bechtel) as the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management (EPCM) contractor for its landmark Line 6 Expansion Project.

Under the terms of the contract, Bechtel will be responsible to design and construct the sixth potline as well as support industrial services.

Alba will be the world’s largest single-site aluminium smelter upon completion of the Line 6 Expansion Project, which will boost its production by 540,000 metric tonnes per annum (mtpa) bringing Alba’s total production capacity to 1,500,000 mtpa. Line 6 will have 424 pots that will use the proprietary EGA DX+ Ultra technology thus significantly increasing operating efficiencies.

Commenting on this occasion, Alba’s Chairman of Board of Directors, Shaikh Daij Bin Salman Bin Daij 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.”

Commenting on this occasion, Bechtel’s President for Mining and Metals, Shaun Kenny said: “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 and was previously the EPCM contractor for Alba’s Line 4 and 5 expansions.

Source: www.albasmelter.com

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.