First phase of Icelandic salmon farmer's smolt facility expansion completed

Faroese aquaculture, maritime, and industry supplier KJ has announced the completion of the first phase of a land-based smolt facility for Icelandic salmon farmer Háafell.

KJ, which has operated in Iceland for several years, has positioned the project at Nauteyri as a 'pilot site' for its strategic developments there.

Háafell, a subsidiary of cod fishing, processing, and marketing company Hradfrystihusid-Gunnvor hf, already has a small land-based smolt facility at Nauteyri. It is building a new, bigger facility in phases to support its ambition to produce 7,000 tonnes of fish a year in Seydisfjordur and Alftafjordur, which flow into the larger Isafordur in the northwest of the country.

2,400m³ volume

The initial phase features a hall with a capacity of 2,400m³, where KJ contributed by installing pipes, handling all plastic welding, and supplying and installing the technical equipment. KJ said the inaugural phase has been successfully executed, with Háafell now in the process of testing the new facilities. The project is advancing swiftly into its second phase, with groundwork piping complete, and the building’s construction commenced.

Phase 1 has a capacity to produce 1 million smolts at 200 grams. The completed facility will have a capacity for 1.5 million smolts at 400 grams.

Háafell chief executive Gauti Geirsson said: “We were happy to secure KJ as a main supplier for pipes and technical equipment for our new site. We have had a business relationship with KJ for 20 years now, where they have made cages and boats for us, so we know them really well.

“The co-operation has been successful, as before.”