Cflow wins contract to supply full fish-handling system for Brønnbåt Nord's new live-fish carrier, a vessel investment of about NOK 1 billion

Norwegian marine technology company Cflow (headquartered in Langevåg near Ålesund) has won the contract to supply the complete fish-handling and treatment system for Brønnbåt Nord's newbuild wellboat. The overall construction project is estimated at NOK 1 billion (approximately USD 91.5 million), and once completed the vessel will be the largest ever in the shipping company's fleet.

The vessel is designed specifically for the transport and welfare of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), with a cargo capacity of 5,000 cubic metres, able to deliver the equivalent of about 4.2 million salmon meals to processing plants in a single voyage. Brønnbåt Nord serves its fish-farming owners and partners Salaks, Gratanglaks and Kleiva Fiskefarm in northern Norway, and this investment targets demand for live-fish carriers in northern Norway.

The vessel is designed by Harstad-based NSK Ship Design and will be built at Zamakona Shipyard in Bilbao, Spain, with delivery scheduled for 2029. The newbuild will feature battery-hybrid propulsion, an energy-efficient hull design, and onboard freshwater production capacity for treatment and delousing operations of up to 10,000 cubic metres.

Cflow's scope of supply covers complete systems for fish handling, water circulation and treatment, hygiene, automation and data logging.

Gunnar Hoff, Executive Vice President of Business Development at Cflow, said: "This is a major and important project for us, allowing us to apply our expertise in close cooperation with Brønnbåt Nord to further develop our solutions. Through previous projects we know this shipping company and its needs very well, and together we have found effective solutions to meet technical and operational challenges."

Øyvind Nikolaisen, Head of Aquaculture Vessel Development at NSK Ship Design, highlighted the early-stage collaboration: "We know Cflow very well from previous cooperation and recognise the strong technical expertise they bring. By working closely together from an early stage, we have developed solutions that had not been created before, while building high confidence in the final delivery and its ability to meet Brønnbåt Nord's needs."

The contract continues the relationship established during the development of the battery-hybrid wellboat MS Caspian, delivered in 2024. According to Mats A. Heide, Senior Tender Manager at Cflow, and Sveinung Haukebøe, Project Manager at Brønnbåt Nord, the operational experience gained from that vessel was essential to refining the technology for the newbuild.

On the technical side, the vessel will be equipped with 600-millimetre (DN600) loading and unloading lines designed for fast handling of high volumes, shortening operation times and prioritising fish welfare. The piping infrastructure uses clean-in-place (CIP) technology, enabling automated cleaning and disinfection without dismantling the system.

For water quality control and biosecurity, the vessel will integrate a high-capacity carbon dioxide (CO₂) degassing system, a total gas pressure (TGP) regulation system, and nanobubble generators developed by Cflow partner Moleaer. Unlike conventional Venturi injectors, nanobubbles remain dissolved in the water for longer, optimising oxygen use and maintaining stable conditions for the fish. Wingtech biometric fish counters, adapted for counting both adult fish and smolt, will also be installed on board.

Although hull construction and outfitting will take place at the Spanish shipyard, about 40% of the equipment and services will be supplied by Norwegian companies. For the Sunnmøre region, where Cflow is based, the contract will secure stable industrial and technical activity for years to come.