The deal follows the $65 million deal between Cermaq and Akva Group announced in June for the delivery of the RAS plant.
Cermaq announced on Thursday that it has selected construction firm Total Betong as the builder for its new Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) plant on Sørøya.
The facility will be designed especially with biosecurity and fish welfare in mind, and will produce approximately 12 million post smolt annually when completed.
The deal, valued at approximately NOK 850 million ($80 million), marks one of the largest contracts ever for Total Betong in the aquaculture sector.
The company has already delivered a number of salmon facilities currently in operation, including for Kvaroy and Gaia.
The announcement comes after Cermaq and Akva Group secured a NOK 709 million ($65 million) agreement in June for the delivery of the RAS plant, setting a record at the time as the largest deal for Akva Group in Norway.
The upcoming facility, which is slated for completion in 2025, will encompass 22,000 square meters. Total Betong will take on the main responsibility for the construction and operation of the site, working closely with both Akva Group and Cermaq.
“We are honoured that Cermaq has placed its trust in us. Having delivered turnkey contracts for smolt plants for over a decade, we’re eager to continue this success story,” said Olav Bang-Haagensen, head of aquaculture at Total Betong, in the press release.
Bjørn Atle Jacobsen, project manager for Cermaq’s Postsmolt Finnmark project, emphasised the importance of the new facility for enhancing production quality. “Stable production of high-quality smolt is crucial for the project’s profitability. We are confident that this partnership will lead to cost-effective solutions and optimal operation,” Jacobsen said.
