A new and upgraded live fish transfer system has been delivered to SalMar Aker Ocean’s fish farm, Offshore Farm 1.
Techano Oceanlift was awarded the contract for two of its FTS500 fish transfer systems in March 2022. In the past winter, they were delivered to Aker Solutions’ Verdal yard, where the offshore fish farm underwent a functionality upgrade.
According to Techano, which was recently acquired by Nekkar ASA, the first live fish transfer operations using the new and upgraded system have now been successfully executed.
“We have received feedback from SalMar Aker Ocean that the first fish transfer operations went smoothly, keeping stress levels for the fish to a minimum. They challenged us to design a system that would secure optimal fish welfare, so we are delighted that the first operations showed good results,” Techano Oceanlift’s Director of Business Development and Sales Øystein Bondevik said.
The FTS500 live fish transfer system has been developed to ensure safe and efficient transfer of live fish between aquaculture installations and live fish carriers even in harsh offshore environments. It includes safety measures such break away couplings and escape prevention valves.
Each system consists of two sets of pipes and hoses – one for delivery and return of fish and one treatment line – with individual valves in high grade materials for marine protection. The valves have failsafe operation in case of loss of power or emergency disconnect.
For the Offshore Farm 1 project, Techano conducted all engineering and project management from its headquarters in Kristiansand, Norway. The large majority of the fish transfer systems was manufactured in Norway.
“Techano Oceanlift has a strong position within load handling and lifting equipment onboard fish farms operating in exposed and offshore conditions. This is a perfect fit for Nekkar’s strategy to develop new products that can unlock new growth opportunities for the aquaculture industry,” Nekkar CEO Ole Falk Hansen said.
Offshore Farm 1 is the world’s first offshore fish farm. It has a diameter of 110 metres, is 68 metres in height, and holds a volume of 250,000 cubic metres.
