SalMar takes full control of offshore venture, buys out Aker’s stake.
SalMar has acquired Aker’s remaining 15 per cent stake in offshore farming pioneer SalMar Aker Ocean AS, making it a wholly owned subsidiary, in a deal that values the offshore aquaculture company at NOK 4.33 billion ($400 million).
Under the agreement, SalMar will pay Aker Capital NOK 76 million ($7 million) in cash, alongside issuing shares valued at approximately NOK 575 million ($54 million). The transaction is structured through a combination of preferred equity and cash, reflecting SalMar’s ambition to expand in offshore and semi-offshore aquaculture.
Following the acquisition, SalMar CEO Frode Arntsen, speaking at the North Atlantic Seafood Forum (NASF), highlighted a positive outlook for offshore salmon farming.
“Offshore aquaculture offers promising growth opportunities both domestically and globally,” Arntsen said.
With the ownership change, Anders Fjellheim has been appointed managing director of the newly structured subsidiary. Previous management, including CEO Roy Reite, has stepped down as part of the restructuring.
