SalMar and Aker complete offshore salmon deal

The new company, formerly the SalMar subsidiary SalMar Ocean, will operate within offshore fish farming, including offshore and semi-offshore, and aims to sustainably produce 150,000 tonnes of salmon annually by the end of 2030. Aker ASA is buying 33.34% of the company, through three private placements.

SalMar, which co-owns Scottish Sea Farms, has already grown 10,000 tonnes of salmon over two production cycles in Ocean Farm 1, the world’s first offshore salmon farm, and has previously outlined ambitions to create a lower cost supply chain of offshore farms. It has also been developing the Smart Fish Farm, a larger, more technologically advanced successor to Ocean Farm 1.

Leading competence

“By combining Aker and SalMar’s industry experience, leading competence in salmon production, software, and cleantech the aim is to create the world’s most reliable and intelligent offshore farming operations with the highest requirements for fish welfare and a zero-emissions value chain ambition,” said SalMar today.

“SalMar Aker Ocean will be at the forefront of ensuring sustainable growth on the salmon’s terms. The company will initially focus on establishment of offshore fish farming in Norwegian waters, which will require establishment of a regulatory framework for offshore fish farming. SalMar Aker Ocean will collaborate with Norwegian authorities, the aquaculture industry, and other interested parties for the establishment of a regulatory framework.”

New boss

SalMar said last week that it had started a process for the recruitment of a new chief executive for SalMar Aker Ocean following the decision of Olav Andreas Ervik to step down from the position during the spring 2022 for family reasons, including the commute from his residence in Vestvågøy (Lofoten). He will continue as an advisor to the company.

“One of the most interesting and inspiring things you can do in this industry is to have a central role in the development of sea-based farming together with a competent and strong team. Had the situation allowed, I would have liked to continue as CEO. But now I look forward to contributing from a new position,” said Ervik.

‘Net and barrier’

SalMar said it was currently working on a comprehensive upgrade and development of the net technology for use in Ocean Farm 1.

“This will be a net and barrier technology that will also be used for new offshore and semi-offshore installations. Furthermore, there is full focus on completing the development of the next generation of cages intended for use semi-offshore, which SalMar Aker Ocean wants to start construction of as soon as possible,” said the company.

Smart Fish Farm

“In parallel, work is being done to complete and prepare the world's first pure offshore salmon farm, Smart Fish Farm, for construction. Smart Fish Farm is planned to be established approximately 50 nautical miles west of Frøya.

“In collaboration with the authorities, the company looks forward to establishing the necessary permits and location for this pilot unit. This development will provide a basis for new jobs for shipyards and equipment manufacturers along the coast, and at the same time create an important basis for experience when the authorities are to prepare the permanent regulations for offshore aquaculture.”

‘Something completely new’

SalMar Aker Ocean chair Atle Eide said Ervik and his team had done an outstanding job so far.

“At the next stage, a new, global industrial company will be built in which Norway has a technological, market and operational leadership role internationally. We are looking for a top manager with heavy industrial experience, and who is attracted to creating something completely new - in close dialogue with two of Norway’s most competent and professional ownership environments, SalMar and Aker.”