Producer reports great progress in tunnel for land-based salmon farming center
Norway: The waterways, including the entry and exit tunnels, are designed to support a future production of 40,000 tons of salmon.
The on-land salmon producer Andfjord Salmon has reported faster than expected progress in the construction of waterways that will provide fresh seawater to the ponds at the company's facilities in Kvalnes, Andøya, Norway.
The tunnel construction was 38% complete a month ago and is now 57% complete.
The waterways, including the entry and exit tunnels, are designed to support a future production of 40,000 tons of salmon.
"The construction of the waterways is an underground job that exposes us to ground conditions. Achieving a 20% progress in such a short period of time is important, as it helps to reduce the risk of one of the most challenging parts of the Kvalnes construction," said CEO Martin Rasmussen in a stock market announcement.
Andfjord Salmon will use laminar flow (water enters at one end and exits at the other) in its cultivation center and has successfully demonstrated its concept by cultivating in a pilot pond.
40 thousand tons
In this first phase of the construction of Kvalnes, Andfjord Salmon is completing four continuous flow ponds, increasing the total production capacity to 8 thousand tons by 2025. The company aims to reach a total production capacity of 40 thousand tons, through gradual volume increases between 2025 and 2030.
The initial phase includes the development of shared infrastructure, such as waterways and a port area, to support future production.
The works in the port area and in the concrete tanks are progressing as planned. The works in the port area are currently completed at 42%, compared to 36% on May 29, when the company last presented a construction update along with the quarterly results.
The concrete tanks are completed at 12%, compared to 8% at the end of May, while the installation of steel reinforcements and foundation work are progressing as planned.
