The technology and consulting company Aqua Knowledge in Rogaland, in Norway, which primarily designs nets for sea cages, envisages a larger upscaling of offshore projects in China.
In Norway, Aqua Knowledge has worked with SalMar’s “Ocean Farm 1”, as well as “Arctic Offshore Farm” for Norway Royal Salmon. In addition, the company is involved in other offshore projects, which have either received or been denied development licenses.
“Originally, the company was mostly focused on mooring and net analyses for conventional aquaculture facilities, but after the development license scheme was implemented, all growth has come in the offshore aquaculture sector. In addition to designing network systems, we are also certified for maintenance and repair of offshore nets on site,” says general manager Yngve Askeland in Aqua Knowledge to Salmon Business.
The company is owned by Mørenot, and it always has been.
“We have one day been owned by Mørenot. In connection with the growing need for engineering services in fish farming, we first started a department in 2011, then we were expanded to a separate AS in 2015,” says Askeland.
Sysla also mentioned the company on Thursday.
China most important
Askeland says it is important for Aqua Knowledge to be present in several geographical areas, outside of Norway, and that China is currently the most important. Four of the company’s 23 employees are involved in China projects, working on Norwegian and international projects at Chinese shipyards.
“When the Chinese go in for something, they go in with skin and hair. It’s exciting what’s going on there, a lot of different technology and tough sea conditions,” says Askeland.
He is crystal clear on what his company can do to help the Chinese.
“The Chinese are good at building steel structures quickly and easily, but designing grids that work with these structures without being destroyed, they have no experience with,” says Askeland and continues:
“When you mix fiber products into the steel structures, there are other ways of working than they are used to. We can contribute there. In addition, they must gain experience with the biology piece.”
Absolutely profitable
Salmon Business has previously mentioned the Chinese offshore cages “Deep Blue No.1” and “Deep Blue No. 2”. These projects have not contributed to Aqua Knowledge. But Askeland confirms that they are involved in several projects at the company CIMC, which since spring has had a rig in operation in northern China.
“The Chinese are in the early stages, but the focus is on finding systems that work fine. If you succeed here, it will also mean more offshore projects in other countries,” says Askeland.
What China projects mean in kroner and a penny to the Rogaland company, Askeland will not disclose, but he still says the following:
“It is not in China that we make the most money so far, but it is certainly profitable for us. We assume that there will be a larger upscaling of projects in the future.”