DNV to acquire Akerbla Group to build aquaculture powerhouse
Independent assurance and risk management provider DNV has entered into an agreement to acquire Norway-headquartered marine health company Åkerblå Group, strengthening its existing aquaculture and offshore renewables services portfolio in Europe.
Frøya/Høvik, Norway, Åkerblå Group provides clients with knowledge-based advice and verification through interdisciplinary expertise in fish health, biodiversity and technical services, to use for sustainable practices and operations in the ocean. The Group has offices and laboratories in Norway, UK, Iceland and Lithuania.
“This deal is a major vote of confidence by DNV in the future of aquaculture, and specifically in knowledge-driven solutions that balance ocean wealth with ocean health,” says Remi Eriksen, Group President and CEO at DNV. “Åkerblå Group both complements many of DNV’s services and adds significant new life sciences expertise to our knowledge base. Together, we look forward to delivering superior service levels and enhanced value for aquaculture and offshore renewables customers across Europe and beyond.”
Åkerblå Group has 306 employees across Norway, the UK and Iceland, and includes six companies:
- Åkerblå, a leading knowledge-based marine health company;
- Kystplan, a specialist in construction projects along the coastal zone;
- Skandinavisk naturovervåkning, a provider of freshwater eco system monitoring focusing on salmonid populations;
- Ocean Ecology, a provider of a range of marine ecological survey and consultancy services for projects in the coastal and offshore environment;
- Blár Akur, a fish health services company for sea and land-based fish farms in Iceland;
- Rådgivende Biologer, a provider of services within aquatic biology, with high expertise in water quality, freshwater ecology and fish biology.
Geir Fuglerud, CEO – Supply Chain & Product Assurance at DNV
DNV’s decades of expertise as a global leader in advancing the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of a range of ocean-based industries include extensive experience with inshore and offshore fish farming projects, supply chain transparency and traceability, assurance of offshore constructions and operations, risk management of marine and offshore units, and sustainable programmes for fish and fish well-being.
Geir Fuglerud, CEO – Supply Chain & Product Assurance at DNV, said, “As the fastest growing food producing sector, there is enormous potential for the aquaculture industry to meet the growing demands for protein across the world. DNV already provides a range of services to aquaculture customers, principally on infrastructure, digitalization, supply chain management and management system certification. Combining these activities with the world-leading competence that Åkerblå Group possesses on fish health and welfare will create a true aquaculture services powerhouse which can support businesses at every part of the aquaculture value chain. We look forward to joining forces with highly skilled colleagues from Åkerblå Group.”
Roger Sørensen, CEO of Åkerblå Group
Roger Sørensen, CEO of Åkerblå Group, said, “Åkerblå Group and DNV are both passionately committed to the sustainable growth of aquaculture. With new ownership, Åkerblå Group’s ambitions to grow its operations globally have been given a significant boost. Both companies aspire to the highest quality and integrity in everything they do and are motivated by knowledge- and science-based progress. I am looking forward to seeing the positive change we can achieve together for our customers, our people and the wider industry.”