While Others Plan, We Build the Future of Salmon Farming
For more than a decade, the aquaculture industry has discussed how closed and semi-closed technologies could help solve its most persistent challenges: sea lice, escapes, mortality, and environmental impact. Concepts have been presented, prototypes have been sketched and ambitions have been high – yet many solutions remain on the drawing board.
At Aquafarm Equipment, we chose a different path. We built technology for the future – and put it into operation.
Proven Technology in Daily Use
Over time, we have developed a modular, floating closed-containment system made from GRP (glass-reinforced plastic). The system is designed to give farmers control over key environmental parameters such as temperature, oxygen, CO₂ and water flow, and can be adapted to different production goals – from smolt and post-smolt to harvest-ready fish.
This is not a future promise.
It is a system already installed, operating and documented in Norwegian waters.
Vindsvik: Five Years of Continuous Closed-Containment Operation
In 2019, two closed units were deployed at Vindsvik in Ryfylke in partnership with Mowi. They have now been in continuous operation for over five years and are currently used for large smolt production.
Over time, the units have delivered:
- Significantly reduced lice exposure
- Zero escapes
- Documented improvements in welfare and survival
- Stable production with predictable biological performance
Vindsvik shows that closed systems can be integrated into existing sites without major structural changes, and still deliver measurable biological and operational benefits.
Molde: Technology Tested in Demanding Coastal Conditions
At a site outside Molde, our technology has been validated in a far more exposed environment. Here, the units experience strong currents, varying temperatures and challenging weather – ideal conditions for testing robustness.
Despite these conditions, the system has shown:
- Stable performance throughout the production cycle
- Strong environmental control compared to open pens in the same region
- Zero lice
This project confirms that closed systems do not only work in sheltered fjords.
They can operate where nature sets a higher bar.
Skånevik: Demonstrating Full-Cycle Potential
An earlier project in Skånevik, carried out with Marine Harvest, tested the potential for full-cycle production in a closed environment. 200,000 salmon were stocked with the goal of growing fish to approximately one kilogram.
The results included:
- Low mortality
- High growth rates and efficient feed conversion
- Strong welfare indicators
Skånevik demonstrated that closed systems can support far more than smolt or post-smolt stages, and opened the door for future solutions where a larger share of the production cycle takes place in controlled conditions.
Horsvågen: Our Latest Closed Unit in Commercial Farming
In 2025, we completed and delivered our newest floating closed-containment unit to Cermaq at Horsvågen. The GRP system was first assembled at Nordbase in Harstad, where deep-water quay access, lifting capacity and dedicated warehouse space allowed us to build and prepare the structure efficiently.
After launch, the unit was towed to Horsvågen and is now integrated into Cermaq’s production.
The system is designed to provide:
- Deep-water intake and controlled inflow
- Stable temperature and oxygen conditions
- Reduced parasite exposure
- Full enclosure and escape prevention
- A documented, predictable environment for the first stocking cycles
Horsvågen marks the fourth GRP closed-containment unit delivered by Aquafarm Equipment, and the next step in scaling a technology that is already supporting commercial operations.
A New Standard for the Industry
While many are still developing concepts, we have operational units in the water today – in Norway and very soon internationally. Our solutions already meet the regulatory and biological expectations that the industry is moving towards.
With more than five years of documented performance from active sites, we stand with a combination of practical insight, operational data and proven engineering that is difficult to replicate.
From Vindsvik to Molde, Skånevik and Horsvågen, and further on to international projects such as NEOM – our technology is not a concept. It is a working alternative, developed by Norwegian engineers, in use in Norwegian fjords, and ready to be scaled to new sites.
If you would like to explore how next-generation closed systems could support your production, we welcome you to get in touch with us.
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