Last Thursday, Gigante Salmon took delivery of a new feeder fleet from Endúr Sjøsterk that will be used at the company's shore-based farming facility in Lille Indre Rosøy, in the municipality of Rødøy. With a reference price above NOK 40 million (EUR 3,56 million/USD 3,97 million), the company investment is "strategically important."
"We opted for a safe option that we know will work. Well-proven technology and good working conditions for employees were important criteria when we placed the order," said Helge Albertsen, CEO of Gigante Salmon.
Thus, the purpose of this fleet is to be the center of operations, control, food storage, and accommodation for employees. The plan entails mooring the power fleet in Rosøya and connecting it to shore power through a submarine cable.
"Fleet is the right product for us. Instead of building more buildings on Lille Indre Rosøy, we will now have a fleet that is mobile and can be adapted to future developments. In addition, the island is not regulated to establish larger buildings, so it made the choice to have a feeder fleet as a base easier," said Albertsen.
Gigante Salmon not only focuses on developing the plant itself but also on recruitment for new job opportunities in Rødøy. They have designed a rotation regime for the facility, which will include a technician, an electrician, and a shift manager.
By rotating, employees will live on the forward fleet, moored away from the onshore facility. The construction of onshore facility is currently underway, with the company anticipating its completion by the end of June 2024.
"We have everyone we need in place to receive the first fish this fall. We have employed permanent residents in Rødøy, from the local area and some who will travel from the mainland. These are skilled employees who are already doing an excellent job," said Albertsen.
Gigante Salmon Rødøy AS, a subsidiary of Gigante Salmon AS, is spearheading the aquaculture industry in Rødøy Municipality. With a production permit for 13,731 MTB salmon in Lille Indre Rosøy, their cutting-edge facility is currently under construction and set to receive its first fish in the latter half of 2023.
Gigante Havbruk AS, a member of the Gigante Salmon family, actively holds a majority stake of 61%. They focus on smolt and salmon production, while also conducting research and development specific to salmon. Kjell Lorentsen founded this family-owned company in 1988, and it maintains control over the complete salmon value chain. Headquartered in Bodø, the company strategically operates primarily in the Salten and Helgeland regions.
