Fusion Marine to Manufacture Scottish Salmon Farms

The £750,000 order comprises a significant number of new Oceanflex 80m circumference cages and the refurbishment and upgrade of some existing cages to Oceanflex specification. The new and refurbished cages are earmarked for SSF farm sites in the north-west Highlands.

The full package includes the supply of 64 Fusion Marine bird net support wheels that will be distributed to a number of SSF production units.

The contract comes on the back of a number of successful collaborative projects with SSF in recent years, including a total upgrade of the SSF farm infrastructure in Orkney following its acquisition of Orkney Sea Farms.

The modernisation programme includes the installation of safety decking on cages, and where cages are refurbished, all parts that cannot be used are recycled in a controlled and environmentally friendly manner.

Iain Forbes of Fusion Marine said: “We are delighted to have won this contract from Scottish Sea Farms, with whom we have developed a mutually beneficial working partnership. A key feature of this ongoing co-operation is careful forward planning to ensure the tender is completed in a professional and co-ordinated manner.”

The contract award also signals SSF’s determination to support local suppliers by keeping as much of its capital investment as possible within Scotland. The ongoing investment programme by SSF is part of its ‘future proofing’ strategy to ensure that all its farms have the most modern and efficient equipment.

Jim Gallagher, managing director of Scottish Sea Farms, said: “We are committed to continually upgrading and modernising our farm infrastructure to ensure the best possible conditions for rearing quality Scottish salmon, whilst at the same time taking into account the needs of the environment.

“This latest project underlines our focus on delivering the highest possible standards of husbandry.”

The bulk of the contract will be completed by March 2009, with full completion by July.