Simen Landmark (left) and Hans Jørgen Sandnes (right).
Photographer of the Sandnes image: Karl Erik Hovik Aune
Namdal Ressurs AS
Norwegian seafood investment firm Bluefront Equity has announced the acquisition of a 55% stake in the fish health and marine environmental consultancy Aqua Kompetanse AS, becoming the company's majority shareholder.
Following this investment, which is made through the Bluefront Capital II fund, Havbruksparken Utvikling AS, the former main shareholder, will retain an 18% stake, while the remaining shares will remain with the founders and key employees.
Aqua Kompetanse is one of Norway’s largest independent providers of environmental auditing and fish health services. The company offers services such as environmental studies, site mapping for aquaculture facilities, assistance with license applications, and conducts studies on water dynamics.
"Aqua Kompetanse's vision is healthy fish and clean oceans. This aligns perfectly with our strategy of investing in companies that make the supply chain more sustainable, accessible, and responsibly managed," expressed Simen Landmark, chief investment officer at Bluefront Equity.
Former BioMar Executive Vice President Jan Sverre Røsstad has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Board of Aqua Kompetanse. Additionally, Simen Landmark and Karina Wessel from Bluefront will also join the board.
Aqua Kompetanse is headquartered in the municipality of Flatanger, in Trøndelag county, Norway. It has offices in other Norwegian cities such as Oslo, Trondheim, and Bergen, and employs 80 people.
"Proximity and knowledge are essential to providing services that support the sustainable growth of the aquaculture industry, which is why we maintain a physical presence wherever our fish farming clients operate," said Hans Jørgen Sandnes, managing director of Aqua Kompetanse.
The fish health consultancy doubled its revenue between 2021 and 2024, increasing from 66 million to 113 million Norwegian kroner (NOK). For 2025, revenue is expected to reach around 130 million NOK.
Bluefront invests in companies that promote sustainability throughout the entire seafood value chain. Another example of this is the acquisition of the Trondheim-based company Piscada, whose software technology helps control and analyze processes in the aquaculture industry.
