Ice Fish Farm has chosen AKVA group as a supplier of two AC600VR feed barges to be put into operation at the company's locations in eastern Iceland. Thus, AKVA group consolidates its position as the leading feed barge supplier in Iceland.
«For us, it is important to think long-term and prepare for the future. We need flexibility at the locations we operate in, and some of our locations are exposed to waves and bad weather conditions. The AC600VR model from AKVA group was the best choice as it is the most robust barge model in the market in terms of design. In addition, AKVA group has adapted the barges with a flexible feeding system that we see great advantage of,» says Kjartan Lindbøl, Production Manager at Ice Fish Farm.
Established in the Icelandic market
As of today, there are eight feed barges from AKVA group in operation in Iceland. AKVA group is already well-established in the Icelandic market with a service station, local service technicians and a market coordinator in order to provide the fish farming companies with the best possible prerequisites and follow-up.
“The fact that AKVA group has been established with a base and a service offering in Eskifjordur on the east coast of Iceland is a great advantage for us,” Lindbøl says.
The feed barge model AC600VR has been developed for exposed locations and was first introduced to the market under Aqua Nor in 2019.
Robust and environmentally-friendly
«We are very grateful that Ice Fish Farm chose AKVA group as a supplier of feed barges, and I think they found a great model as well. The VR series is the most robust feed barge model in the market, with a design we are proud to have developed. The feed barge is packed with all the equipment you need in daily operations and includes the AKVA Hybrid battery pack which provides a completely different working environment onboard, and significantly reduces emissions and operating costs. The feed barges will cover Ice Fish Farm's needs, both today and in the future, and I am sure that they will be very satisfied when the barges are in operation, says Roar Ognedal, Regional Manager for Southern Norway and the Nordic market in AKVA group.
He has followed the aquaculture market in Iceland closely since 2012 and has seen significant growth.
“It has been very fun to be a part of the great development that has taken place in recent years. Iceland is an exciting, up-and-coming market with great opportunities for further growth, and with this delivery, we strengthen our position further in the Icelandic market,” says Ognedal.
FACTS, AC600VR:
- V-hull and bow at both sides for best possible stability at exposed locations
- Hs up to 6m when the main forces can be taken over the bow or stern
- Aerodynamic design
- Storage capacity of 600 tonnes
- The feed barge can be delivered with a flexible feeding system where the feed is transported in a conveyor system from storage silos to day tanks. It offers several benefits e.g. feeding several pens at the same time or switch between different types of feed
- The feeding system could also be supplied with waterborne feeding
- Large silage capacity
- Prepared for AKVA Hybrid battery pack