Customer: Seaculture Aquaculture
Delivery: Feed barge – MED model
Location: Portugal
Delivery: Early 2026
Seaculture Aquaculture and AKVA group Spain have signed a contract for the delivery of the first feed barge to an aquaculture facility in Portugal. This is both the first delivery to the customer and the first feed barge delivered to a sea-based aquaculture operation in the country, marking a new market for AKVA group.
AKVA group has been involved in the Seaculture project since 2022 and has previously delivered cages and mooring systems. The feed barge forms part of a complete production system tailored to local conditions and future operational requirements.
The barge is a cost- and space-efficient evolution of the AM400 Comfort and has been further developed as a Mediterranean-adapted (MED) model. It features increased load capacity, a standardised and upgraded mooring system, and a redesigned bow section with a stronger hull and improved seakeeping performance. The hull is reinforced below the waterline to provide greater robustness in varying sea conditions.
The control room and accommodation areas have been redesigned and optimised for efficient and safe operation. The barge has been developed with an integrated design approach that ensures effective interaction between feeding, mooring and day-to-day operations.
The feed barge has a capacity of 400 tonnes and is equipped with four feeding lines – two at the bow and two at the stern. Delivery from the shipyard is scheduled for early 2026, followed by approximately 60 days of transport to Portugal.
The facility is prepared for further digitalisation and can be equipped in the future with solutions such as AKVA Connect 4, remote cameras and AI-based systems for optimised feeding and fish performance.
The barge is being prepared at the shipyard, with the project team and partners gathered during the lifting operation. The delivery marks the first feed barge for sea-based aquaculture in Portugal and an important step in the development of aquaculture along the Algarve coast. Photo: AKVA group
Main delivery
- Cost- and space-efficient evolution of the AM400 Comfort
- 400 tonnes feed storage capacity
- Four feeding lines (two forward, two aft)
- Redesigned bow section with a stronger hull and improved seakeeping performance
- Reinforced hull below the waterline
- Standardised and upgraded mooring system
- Redesigned and optimised control room and accommodation areas
- Prepared for digital and remote operation
