Bluegreen confirms structural issue in Marine Donut prototype; design updated for next-generation model.
Bluegreen has confirmed a structural incident in the prototype of its Marine Donut closed containment system, currently in use by SalMar.
The company said the damage was swiftly contained, with no fish escaping and no compromise to fish welfare. The matter has been formally reported to the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries.
The incident, which affected the initial prototype structure, prompted immediate action to secure the unit and repair the affected section. Bluegreen stated that the system has since been stabilised and that operations have continued without disruption.
“We take the situation very seriously and are working closely with SalMar to safeguard fish welfare, environmental considerations, and project continuity,” said Nils-Johan Tufte, CEO of Bluegreen. “At the same time, this is a reminder of why prototyping is essential in the development of new aquaculture technologies.”
Design improvements based on findings from the incident have already been incorporated into the next version of the system, Marine Donut 2.0.
“With the adjustments we’ve made, we are better prepared for future deliveries,” said Geir Andresen, Commercial Director and Partner at Bluegreen. “Marine Donut remains a pioneering closed containment solution, and this experience has helped us strengthen the technology.”
Despite the structural issue, biological performance within the unit has been strong, according to the company. Fish have shown low mortality, good appetite, and steady growth rates throughout the production cycle.
Bluegreen noted that while early-stage innovations often face operational challenges, the lessons learned from real-world conditions are critical to achieving scalable and resilient designs.
The Marine Donut forms part of an emerging generation of floating closed containment systems aimed at addressing biosecurity, fish welfare, and environmental impact in salmon farming.