AKVA wins Iceland feed barge contract

ICELANDIC salmon company Ice Fish Farm has chosen the AKVA group to supply two AC600VR feed barges for its aquaculture operations in the east of the country.

AKVA says it expects the deal to consolidate its position as the leading feed barge supplier in Iceland.

Ice Fish Farm, which is now majority owned by the Norwegian company Måsøval, is one of Iceland’s fastest growing salmon businesses.

It is currently in exploratory merger talks with Laxar Fiskeldi, in which Måsøval also has a big stake.

Commenting on the feed barge deal, Kjartan Lindbøl, production manager at Ice Fish Farm, said: “For us, it is important to think long-term and prepare for the future. We need flexibility at the locations we operate in, and some of our locations are exposed to waves and bad weather conditions.

“The AC600VR model from AKVA group was the best choice as it is the most robust barge model in the market in terms of design. In addition, AKVA group has adapted the barges with a flexible feeding system and we see great advantages with that.”

Lindbøl added: “The fact that AKVA group has been established with a base and a service offering in Eskifjordur on the east coast of Iceland is a great advantage for us.”

AKVA is now a well-established name in Iceland, with eight feed barges in operation throughout the country.

The AC600VR model has been developed for exposed locations and was first introduced to the market at Aqua Nor in 2019.

Roar Ognedal, AKVA general manager for southern Norway and the Nordic market, said: “We are very grateful that Ice Fish Farm chose AKVA group as a supplier of feed barges, and I think they found a great model as well.

“The VR series is the most robust feed barge model in the market, with a design we are proud to have developed.”

He added: “The feed barges will cover Ice Fish Farm’s needs, both today and in the future, and I am sure that they will be very satisfied when the barges are in operation.”