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Vikings Label bares plan to build land-based salmon farm in UAE

This latest development highlights the growing interest to develop the aquaculture industry in the Middle East. The region has an ambitious plan to be self-sufficient in its fish supply within 10 to 15 years. There is growing demand for fish and shellfish in the region, which is currently being met by imports from Norway.

Vikings Label currently imports salmon into Dubai, but intends to enter the aquaculture market with the construction of a land-based fish farm in the city’s North Ras Al Khaimah.

“We see a huge growth potential for salmon in Dubai, and that growth will result from a combination of marine farming in Norway and land-based fish farming near the Dubai market,” said Tore Havn, CEO of Vikings Label.

Terje Lukas Havn, CCO of Vikings Label, added, “The region has an innovative way of thinking and is increasingly seeking sustainable and environmentally friendly production methods. In many ways, building a land-based fish farm in the middle of the hot, dry desert is untraditional and exciting.”

He said the company plans to take advantage of the sun’s resources by using solar energy, and incorporating eco-friendly solutions into its fish farm.

Gråkjær will supply the design, plan the project and take charge of the construction of Vikings Label’s future land-based fish farms. The facility will contain a hatchery, first feeding, fry, a pre-smolt unit, a smolt and post-smolt unit, and a delivery tank. The site will have the capacity to produce 2,500 tons of salmon a year, the company said.

The project is expected to be completed by 2020.