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Singapore RAS has reported that it has entered into an agreement with OFS Norge and Onshore Technologies (ONTEC) for a basic design study of its planned recirculating aquaculture system in the Asian country. The company announced that it is targeting 1,000 tons per year of local farmed salmon production by 2025, with further expansion to 3,000 tons to meet the 30/30 strategic food sufficiency target.
In addition, the agreement opens up the opportunity for strategic and financial cooperation on the project, as well as the development of local aquaculture capacity based on ONTEC’s pioneering Academy in Måløy.
“Singapore RAS aims to establish itself as a sustainable land-based producer of cutting-edge Atlantic salmon in Singapore, right next to the largest per capita salmon market in Southeast Asia. We are particularly driven by the desire to ensure maximum recirculation,” said Singapore RAS CEO Esben Johnsen.
To this end, they will take into account the “multiple circular economy first.” “For sludge, for waste processing, for cooling energy, just to mention a few main elements. We from Singapore RAS are pleased to announce our partnership with OFS/ONTEC, leveraging on those companies’ decades of technology development, with one of the lowest unit energy requirements in the industry and a strong focus on local skills and capacity building,” Johnsen added.
Singapore imports more than 90% of food
Singapore RAS wants to produce 1,000 tons of salmon by 2025 and reach 3,000 tons when proven biologically and commercially successful. At present, the island city-state of Singapore imports more than 90% of food, and has a strategy called 30/30 that aims to increase local food production to 30% by 2030. It also has a strong focus on the circular economy and sustainability, two aspects that are fundamental to this project, explained from Singapore SAN in a press release.
For his part, OFS CEO Jørn-Gunnar Jacobsen said OFS and ONTEC are looking forward to working with the Singapore RAS team. “This collaboration, together with Singapore RAS’ central location relative to other key Southeast Asian markets, its carbon and circular economy ambitions is a perfect fit for us. OFS/ONTEC has a clear focus on research, innovation and engagement with the local community that underpins our strategic objective in making RAS land-based salmon farming truly sustainable,” he noted.
It is worth noting that OFS Norge is a land-based salmon and trout farming company that, they claim, offers “seamless and sustainable” production, from smolts to the highest quality end products prior to shipping. “Our ambition is to combine expertise in biology and technology to become a world-leading land-based fish farming expert producing high quality tasty fish, both fresh and frozen,” they stress on their website.
The members of the Norwegian company have extensive experience in aquaculture, working together “for a common goal: to cultivate expertise and harvest tasty and healthy fish”.
Extensive industrial experience
Moreover, OFS Norge is developed by investors with extensive industrial experience and successfully developed seafood businesses. “Our owners are pioneers with deep roots in the Norwegian seafood industry and a portfolio of successful projects. Our management team has key expertise in SAR exploitation and farming, project development, fish processing and sales.”
Meanwhile, ONTEC, the innovative SAR technology provider in which OFS Norge has a majority stake, provides flexible and efficient solutions with a focus on fish welfare and sustainability. In addition, it has a state-of-the-art facility for on-site slaughtering and processing that greatly reduces fish handling and stress and contributes to reducing transport costs and the overall carbon footprint of its high-quality seafood.
