Atlantic Sapphire ASA Announces Upsizing of US Phase 2 Expansion
January 28, 2021 at 06:42 am
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Atlantic Sapphire ASA announced plans to upsize its US ‘phase 2’ expansion of the Miami Bluehouse, increasing the annual production and harvest volume of the combined phase 1 and 2 by approximately 18,500t RLW (15,000t HOG) to 30,000t RLW (25,000t HOG). The first fish is expected to be stocked into the new phase 2 facility in 2022, with increased harvest volumes starting in 2023. Phase 2 will be integrated with phase 1 production, as the fish will hatch and grow to smolt size in the existing phase 1 smolt facility, then be transferred to phase 2 for the mid-cycle stage (0.3 – 3.0kg) before finally being moved into the existing phase 1 grow-out tanks for the last stage of its life cycle. This is advantageous, as the existing phase 1 has sufficient smolt, harvesting and filleting capacity to support the full 25,000t HOG. Further, increased smolt production while phase 2 is being constructed allows for rapid utilization of the new phase 2 capacity, decreasing construction completion to harvest ramp-up by approximately 10 months. The phase 1 grow-out systems are designed for large fish (3-5kg), and the Company will optimize production by stocking mid-sized fish with higher specific growth rate (SGR) in tailor-made systems in phase 2. The ratio of filtration capacity versus tank size will improve for the combined phase 1 and 2, allowing for a higher JEA index (kg yield/m3 tank volume/day). Consequently, phase 2 will be a less complex project as compared to phase 1 with a lower capex per kilo of incremental production. Phase 2 will include centralized functions for sludge treatment, maintenance and energy, as part of the Grand Master Plan. These will be based on a modular design that allows for rapid expansion in future phases, reduces operational complexity and improves reliability. The company is currently working on the design, construction plan and budget for the expansion and expects to announce more details in second quarter 2021.
Atlantic Sapphire ASA is a Norway-based aquaculture company. The Company breeds Bluehouse (land-raised) salmon farming and transforms protein production globally. Atlantic Sapphire has a focus on Research and Development (R&D) and innovation to equip the Company with the technology and procedures that enable the Company to commercially scale up production in end markets close to the consumer. In the USA, the Company OPERATES its Bluehouse in Homestead, Florida. The Company has the capacity to harvest approximately 10,000 tons (HOG) of salmon annually. Atlantic Sapphire constructs its Phase 2 expansion, which aims to bring total annual production capacity to 25,000 tons, and has a targeted harvest volume in 2031 of 220,000 tons.