Aibel and Utror presented offshore aquaculture concept

Since spring 2024, Aibel and Utror have been working closely together to develop a concept that combines Aibel’s expertise and knowledge in large, complex offshore developments with Utror and the Norwegian supplier industry’s world‑leading competence in aquaculture. The ambition is to contribute to a responsible and safe increase in healthy food production that the world needs, while also helping secure future jobs and economic activity along the Norwegian coast.

To take the next step and bring the plans to life, the political framework conditions for offshore aquaculture must first be established. Therefore, Aibel and Utror invited, among others, the Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy, Marianne Sivertsen Næss, as well as representatives from the labour unions, LO leader Kine Asper Vistnes and Fellesforbundet leader Christian Justnes.

“We know that political work is ongoing, and it was a step in the right direction that the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries on the same day presented changes to the salmon licensing regulations that now open for granting larger areas for offshore aquaculture. But there is still some way to go before Utror and potentially other actors can apply for, and eventually be granted, areas offshore. Therefore, we still cannot push the start button. But we hope that through this meeting, we have made it clear that this has great potential both for the aquaculture industry and for the yard industry, which will build these facilities, and that we need momentum in the political process,” says Aibel’s Executive Vice President for Modifications and Yard Services, Nils Arne Sølvik.

Aibel and Utror’s concept involves building large offshore aquaculture installations that are around 300 meters long and approximately 85 meters tall. The concept is still under development, based on Aibel’s well‑known execution model using its yards in Thailand and Haugesund. It is estimated that producing facilities of the size now being considered will require a workforce capacity in the range of 300–400 workers.