Arnarlax has announced plans to build a 10,000 square metre high-tech facility in Patreksfjörður, the Westfjords of Iceland, creating around 100 jobs in one of the country’s key fish farming areas.
In a press release, Arnarlax confirmed that it has signed a letter of intent with the Icelandic municipality of Vesturbyggð to construct the facility, which will process an estimated 80,000 tonnes of salmon per year, “as long as agreements are reached and all preconditions are met.”
Arnarlax, owned Norwegian company SalMar, did not reveal when construction would begin on the project, citing how the next steps involve drawing up a zoning plan, preparing for construction, relocating existing operations and developing further infrastructure in the area.
The letter of intent states that the older building, which currently stands on the site, will be demolished and the waste reception area will be moved. The plan is to to build a large ship quay nearby, set up a waiting dock at the harbor, and reach a long-term agreement on payments to the municipality in the form of catch fees.
“I am very pleased with this landmark agreement with Vesturbyggð. This is the first step of many, but the declaration of intent allows us to start formal permit applications and design and preparation work for the construction of a high-tech processing house in Patreksfjörður, which will create many valuable jobs. The investment will also strengthen the industry’s competitiveness and strengthen the position of aquaculture in the Westfjords for the future,” Bjorn Hembre, CEO of Arnarlax, said.
“It is gratifying that Arnarlax and Vesturbyggð have agreed on this important future development in the southern Westfjords. Aquaculture is the largest industry in the region and it is important that there is now a future vision on both sides for the continued development of aquaculture and related activities in Vesturbyggð,” Rebekka Hilmarsdóttir, Mayor of Vesturbyggð, said.
