Aquaculture supplier Smir clinches 'significant' contract with Nova Sea
Deal to repurpose pens and provide equipment for deep farming is first to involve Badinotti following cooperation agreement last year
Aquaculture technology and equipment supplier Smir AS has signed a significant contract with salmon farmer Nova Sea for the total delivery of technology and services for deep farming at one of Nova Sea’s sites in Norway’s production area 8 (Helgeland to Bodo).
“The contract marks an important milestone for Smir AS and will be significant for the entire Smir group. Deep farming and submersible cages represent a forward-looking approach that we believe will help meet some of the most pressing challenges in the aquaculture industry. We are proud to be able to collaborate with Nova Sea, which shares our vision of the future of aquaculture,” said Smir chief executive Øyvind Nymark in a press release.
Last year, Smir AS entered into a cooperation agreement with the global aquaculture supplier Badinotti Group, which for over 20 years has delivered submersible cage solutions for farming in areas where the wave height can reach 15 metres in storms. Now, for the first time, the companies are introducing their joint solution to the Norwegian market, in close collaboration with other companies in the Smir group.
Robust solution
“By combining Badinotti Group’s long experience with deliveries of submersible cages with our technology and experience in operating technology for deep farming, we have created a robust and innovative total solution. By reusing existing cages, it is both a cost-saving and sustainable solution for farming of salmon,” Nymark said.
Smir AS and Badinotti Group will be responsible for the conversion to submersible cages. In addition, Smir AS will deliver technology for waterborne feeding. The contract with Nova Sea also includes rebuilding of a feed barge and installation of a waterborne feeding system through Smir’s subsidiary company Smir SET, as well as installation and diving services for submersible cages through its subsidiary company Kb.
Effective protection
“At Nova Sea, ensuring the best possible fish welfare is a top priority. Every day, we work to improve production and biosecurity. That is why we are now opting for a submerged solution that provides effective protection against sea lice and allows the salmon to remain as undisturbed as possible throughout the entire sea phase. We have chosen Smir AS and Badinotti Group as suppliers because of their work with submerged cages and their solid interdisciplinary aquaculture competence. We look forward to the collaboration,” said Nova Sea production director Bjørn Helge Hjartåker.
According to the annual salmon industry handbook published by salmon giant Mowi, Nova Sea was Norway's seventh largest producer of Atlantic salmon last year, harvesting 40,000 gutted weight tonnes.
