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Norcod goes «all in» with waterborne feeding for cod farming

Norcod has invested in two feed barges in AKVA group's new AM3 series. The feed barges are very energy-efficient with hybrid operation and feeding systems with water transport of the feed.

“It is exciting that a fish farmer chooses to go “all in” for a new feed barge design and also chooses to optimize energy consumption with both hybrid operation and our new energy-efficient and flexible feeding system,” says Sveinulf Sediniussen, Sales Manager Mid in AKVA group.

Norcod conducts commercial sea-based farming of cod but is involved in the entire value chain through cooperation with key players. The company is located in Central Norway with solid conditions for cod farming.

“AKVA group delivers the best technology for water transport of feed. We also get a quiet and energy-effective feed barge which is more environmentally friendly,” says Rune Eriksen, Production Director in Norcod.

“We have great respect and are very grateful that Norcod gave us the confidence to deliver these two feed barges. Together we are finding solutions that will streamline operations, e.g. by delivering the feed so gently that you have the opportunity to use a easier-to-digest pellets, either a larger pellet or a pellet of another technical quality,” says Tore Obrestad, Business Developer in AKVA group.

Norcod aims to harvest 6,500 tonnes of cod with an ideal weight of four kilos in 2021, and 25,000 tonnes in 2025.

Great savings
AKVA group has designed the barge with new technology for waterborne feeding, which was first presented at AquaNor in 2019. This is among the first feed barges to be delivered with the new type of waterborne feeding technology.

Waterborne feeding represents a shift to extremely low energy consumption compared to air transport of the feed. Tests carried out during the development of waterborne feeding showed an energy reduction of as much as 70-90 per cent compared with air transport.

“The low energy consumption in feeding represents a significant cost saving in generator operation – approx. NOK 200,000 in monthly savings for a conventional feeding system with 8-10 pens,” says Obrestad.

Constant feeding capacity
With air feeding, the feeding capacity is up to 200 kg per minute at distances up to 50 meters, and then the feeding capacity decreases rapidly over long distances. With waterborne feeding, feeding capacity will be almost constant, regardless of the length of the feeding hose.

“We have measured the feeding capacity of waterborne feeding up to 600 meters, and the feeding capacity of 100 kg was fairly constant even with this feeding hose length,” says Obrestad. This was special important for Norcod.

“The possibility of high capacity feeding even at long hose lengths was an important prerequisite in choosing the feeding system, says Tsjipke Deuzeman, Production Manager in Norcod.

There are still issues that should be highlighted regarding the effects of waterborne feeding versus air feeding, and how the operation and technology should be adapted to optimize the operation and environmental benefits.

Feed Barge AM3 series

  • Feed storage capacity: 350 tonnes in silos
  • Length 29,80m and width 12m
  • Silos: 4 width automatic hatch openers
  • 8 feeding lines with waterborne feeding
  • Conveyer for flexible distribution of feed from silos to pens
  • D-shaped hull
  • Certified for Hs<4,5 meter significant wave heights
  • Equipped with hybrid energy supply, 200kVa generator and a 115kWh battery pack for energy-effective operation
  • Living unit with control room, two cabins, a bathroom, kitchen, wardrobes etc.
  • A combined and customized veterinary room / workshop for efficient use of space.
  • The silage system is a new and efficient two-stage silage system that allows you to carry out partial mixing in a grinder tank and then continue mixing in other tanks.
  • The feed barge has the new control system AKVAconnect 4.0