VAQ Managing Director Sondre Høidalen and The Kingfish Company CEO Vincent Erenst, pictured with team members.
Photo: VAQ / The Kingfish Company
Netherlands-based yellowtail farmer The Kingfish Company and Norwegian land-based aquaculture technology specialist VAQ AS have announced a significant new partnership to expand the sustainable farming of yellowtail kingfish in Europe.
The two companies signed an agreement on September 25, 2024, to develop and design the pre-project concept for the Phase III expansion of The Kingfish Company’s production facilities in Zeeland, Netherlands, VAQ confirmed in a press release.
The expansion is part of an ambitious plan to scale up the company’s operations. The Kingfish Company, which already operates two successful production facilities in Kats, Zeeland, supplies high-quality yellowtail kingfish to the European market. The new project will include the development of a state-of-the-art Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS), advanced production facilities, and wastewater treatment systems.
VAQ AS, a Norwegian firm specializing in aquaculture technology, was chosen as the technology partner after a comprehensive selection process, The Kingfish Company said. This included visits to various reference facilities and a thorough evaluation of different solutions to ensure the best partner for the expansion.
The preliminary project began in early September 2024 and is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with the outcome expected to shape The Kingfish Company’s final investment decision for the expansion.
“This partnership marks an important step in scaling our sustainable business and continuing our commitment to delivering the highest quality yellowtail kingfish to the market using environmentally friendly practices," said The Kingfish Company's CEO, Vincent Erenst.
"We look forward to working closely with VAQ AS to drive innovation and sustainability in the aquaculture industry," he added.
Sondre Høidalen, Managing Director of VAQ AS, said, “We are very pleased to have succeeded in the strong competition for this exciting assignment, and we look forward to expanding our experience base from building complete salmon farming facilities to include a new species for us in collaboration with The Kingfish Company.”
