Norway’s Framo acquires 50 per cent stake in innovative offshore salmon farming project

Norwegian pump manufacturer Framo has invested to become a joint partner with fish farming company Lingalaks in the company Stadion Laks.

The two companies aim to collaborate on the development of the Stadion Basin project, a closed, floating production system for salmon, scheduled for completion in 2023.

“The objective with the Stadion Basin is to eliminate problems with salmon lice, accidental release and organic waste, and to provide good growing conditions for salmon,” said Erlend Haugarvoll, Chairman of the Board for Lingalaks and Stadion Laks, the company behind the Stadion Basin project.

Framo and Lingalaks have now signed an agreement for joint ownership (50/50) of the project, which has been awarded development licences equivalent to 1,849 tonnes of biomass.

The basin is designed as a floating, closed, through-flow production unit for salmon farming measuring. Seen from above, the 117- by 39-metre basin has the appearance of a sports stadium, hence the name “stadion,” the Norwegian word for “stadium.”

“We decided to take part in this project so that we can develop and test new pump technology in the field,” remarked Oddbjørn Jacobsen, Director of Framo Innovation.

Another objective of the project is to find improved methods of handling feed residue and waste products. The plan is to collect sludge and organic waste, such as feed residue and faeces from the fish, and to exploit this as a resource.

“The project could provide major positive gains in relation to fish health, seafood production in the fjords and for the entire aquaculture industry,” added Haugarvoll.

The plan is to construct the basin in Norway. The technology behind the concept will ensure that the salmon will remain in the sea in Norway rather than being moved to land-based facilities.

Framo will be responsible for the entire through-flow system. This includes taking water from various depths, circulation in the volume of water in the fish farm, removal of sludge, and control systems.