Floating Closed Containment in Practice — Cermaq Horsvågen

In November we completed and delivered our newest floating closed-containment unit to Cermaq’s site at Horsvågen in Nordland. After months of design, engineering and assembly at Nordbase in Harstad, the GRP cage has now been launched, towed south and put in position for operation.

From quayside to farm site

The unit was first assembled on the quayside in Harstad, where we used the quay, lifting capacity and warehouse facilities at Nordbase to handle the large GRP elements efficiently. Once the structure was completed, it was lifted from shore and lowered into the sea, before beginning the roughly 60-mile tow to Horsvågen.

What started as a series of modules on land is now a fully assembled, floating closed system integrated into Cermaq’s production.

Commissioning and first stocking

With the cage in place, we have moved into the commissioning phase. This includes testing and adjusting circulation, calibrating sensors and setting up the deep-water intakes that are central to the design. The first fish stocking is planned for December, marking the start of the unit’s first full production cycle in Horsvågen.

Built for control and welfare

This closed facility is designed to provide environmental control through design: deep-water intake, controlled water flow, oxygenated intake water and sludge collection. The goal is simple but demanding: protect fish welfare and give Cermaq predictable, documented operation through the winter season and beyond.

For us, this project is an important step in showing how floating closed systems can be used in normal farming operations, not just as pilots.

If you would like to explore how similar closed units could work on your sites, you are welcome to contact us.