The arrival of the 109-metre Bakkafossur is a big moment for Faroese salmon producer Bakkafrost, attended by Faroese Prime Minister Aksel V. Johannesen and other government figures who were there to welcome the new flagship.
Bakkafossur can carry up to 1000 tonnes of live salmon and is regarded as a major step in securing sustainable operations in the future. In addition to its five diesel-electric engines, it has a substantial battery capacity, ensuring an approximately 20% increase in energy efficiency. The placement of the engines on the top deck ensures ease of swift change to sustainable energy systems when such are available on the market.
Equipped with reverse osmosis technology for de-salination of water with a production capacity of 6000 tonnes of fresh water per day, Bakkafossur adds significant freshwater treatment capacity to Bakkafrost’s operations in the Faroe Islands.
In addition, Bakkafossur will be equipped with an FLS sea lice removal system, increasing biosecurity in line with Bakkafrost’s sustainability strategy. Bakkafossur is also prepared for offshore farming.
‘We need to see an increase in the supply of sustainable protein. Aquaculture and salmon farming in particular is regarded as one of the best solutions for sustainable food production when considering sustainability in the broadest sense,’ said Bakkafrost CEO Regin Jacobsen.
‘The Faroe Islands offer many opportunities – thus it is of vital importance that the will, skills and regulations facilitate the utilisation of these opportunities. With Bakkafossur, we take a huge step towards both offshore farming and more sustainable operations. Our vision for the Faroe Islands is to increase our production output significantly to increase the general supply of sustainable ocean food, contributing to the sustainable transformation of the world’s food system.’
