Wellboat owner buys into submersible cage developer
Wellboat operator Rostein’s parent company, Rofisk, is to be co-owner in Nekst AS, a company developing a new salmon cage system in Norway.
Nekst AS has been awarded two development permits and will start construction of its Subsea offshore cage this year. The project is defined as innovative and can provide new knowledge and solutions for the production of salmon in submerged structures.
The company received only two permits out of the 16 that it originally applied wanted for the development of its “Sea Lily” concept.
Smolts in by Q2 2021
In addition to Rostein, Rofisk is the main owner of the Larsnes Mek Verksted shipyard where Rostein’s boats are built, and co-owner of land-based salmon farming company Salmon Evolution. Rofisk is owned by Odd Einar Sandøy.
“We strongly believe that with all our solid and competent shareholders, Nekst AS will be strengthened in developing our innovative solution that can help solve some of the biggest challenges that the salmon industry faces with lice and algae,” Nekst wrote in an email to Fish Farming Expert’s Norwegian sister site, Kyst.no.
Nekst aims to start construction of its Subsea offshore sea cage during the year and expects to put smolts in the cage during the second quarter of next year.
The Sea Lily will be a submersible fish farm, capable of being operated in both raised and lowered condition. The company plans to release fish of 2.7 kilos that have been produced on land for growth in the sea for six months.
