The construction contract has been signed for Proximar Seafood's salmon RAS in Japan. Image: Proximar / AquaMaof.

Construction contract signed for RAS salmon farm in Japan

On-land salmon farm developer Proximar Seafood AS has signed a construction contract with Daiwa House Industry for its recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facility in Japan, it said in a Norwegian stock market announcement today.

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The construction preparations are scheduled to start at the end of the first quarter of 2021, in line with the company's previously stated plans.

Proximar chief executive Joachim Nielsen said the company was very pleased to have signed the construction contract.

Strong local partner

“This takes us one step closer to being able to serve the Japanese market with fresh Atlantic salmon slaughtered the same day,” said Nielsen.

“Having a strong local Japanese partner like Daiwa House Industry involved in this project has significant value for us, and we appreciate the close relationship we have built over time. After years of preparation and planning with Daiwa House Industry and (RAS technology supplier) AquaMaof, all parties have a detailed understanding of how to go through the construction steps. We are therefore very confident in the execution.”

The construction contract has a value of close to six billion Japanese yen, which is equivalent to about NOK 487 million or £41m.

5,300 tonnes in first phase

Daiwa House Industry is a Japanese construction company with approximately 47,000 employees and an annual turnover of around US $40bn. Daiwa House Industry, Proximar and AquaMaof have worked closely together since 2018 on design and construction plans.

At full capacity in the first phase, Proximar intends to produce 5,300 tonnes head on gutted salmon annually. Once the plant is up and running, Proximar plans to expand. 

The project’s investors include members of the Grieg family that owns Grieg Seafood, and Dutch aquafeed producer Nutreco.