Aqua Semi is a partially submersible, semi-closed production unit for salmon built in steel. The unit has sealed steel walls down to 25 meters depth and has all operational functions integrated. This significantly reduces the risk of escapes, lice and other waterborne infections. This will contribute to better fish health and faster growth.  

The art of thinking big

Aqua Semi will be placed at Fagerholmen in Frøyfjorden when construction is completed. This area has strong ocean currents that ensure good supply of fresh and nutrient-rich water, but also climatic challenges that make it unsuitable for small, traditional facilities. Aqua Semi is being constructed to withstand weather and wind, but the industry has experienced that large facilities can have completely unique challenges: Natural forces are greater, and custom equipment must be developed to solve the needs. Together with Vard and other collaboration partners, we have invested considerable effort in the design phase to handle these challenges, and ensure good integration of equipment and good fish welfare throughout the entire production phase. We have conducted comprehensive studies to identify the biological requirements for water quality in a semi-closed unit with large biomass, as well as which measures effectively ensure a good water environment under changing production conditions.  

The model is ready

The design of the unit is now finally developed and model testing in ocean basin at Sintef Ocean was conducted in spring 2020 with subsequent independent design verification conducted by DNVGL. The project is developed in collaboration with Vard, a global player in design and construction of ships and specialized vessels. Vard today has 8,200 employees with headquarters in Norway and construction facilities in Norway, Romania, Brazil and Vietnam. The largest owner in Vard is Italian Fincantieri S.p.A.  

Progress

The project will complete the basic design work during Q2 2021. The next step is the construction contract and we have planned to enter this mid-2021. The unit will then be launched during 2023, and the first generation of production is planned to start early 2024. The production cycle will be <10 months if we succeed with the project, and two test generations will be completed during 2026. The unit is designed for operational cycles of < 10 months and shall in the foreseeable future, if one succeeds with biology and operational concept, harvest 2,500-3,000 tons annually. Implementation of the project will provide the Company with new competence in large and demanding projects as well as contribute to growth in production from 2024 onwards.  

The technology in Aqua Semi has the following objectives: 

• Utilize high-current locations that today cannot be used with conventional technology. 
• Reduce risk of salmon lice/other waterborne risks through shielding against the upper water masses. 
• Reduce risk of escapes. 
• Improve biological performance as well as improved fish welfare through handling of harvest-ready fish as well as control and management of the growth environment.