Since 2019, Pan Ocean Aquaculture B.V. (POA) has been further developing its propriety technology (SSFF - Semi Submersible Fish Farm) for offshore aquaculture installations based on the prototype installed early 2020 offshore Fujian Province, China, the SSFF150.
Apart from working with an array of customers worldwide for the sale or lease of SSFF offshore aquaculture installations, POA started its own offshore aquaculture development in 2019 offshore Morocco . Improvements developed such as wider application of advanced composite materials, automation and remote- control with ABS certification, on-board underwater feed system, environmental data collection and forecasting and adoption of Oil & Gas offshore safety standard practices, will be implemented on the SSFF200, a slightly larger version of the SSFF150 prototype.
Following a two-year license offshore aquaculture application period, and successfully cooperating with various Moroccan Government Authorities, the approval for a license for two areas each of 2.6 square Nautical Miles (about 9 km2 each) is in its final stage and expected to be awarded in Q1 2022. Phase I of the development will entail two SSFF200’s (200,000 m3 cage volume, 110 m diameter) for grow-out of Seriola or, optionally, European Seabass , in water depths ranging from 110-130 meter.
POA tailored technology and explored strategies and execution plans for a variety of business cases for grow out for both species . The SSFF200’s will feature 8 sections each with an average total capacity of 2000 mT (depending on stocking density) .
Modern operational practices as can be observed in the salmon industry are even more so required, and to be built on, when developing offshore aquaculture. In addition to development of the SSFF200, a tailored well-boat for fingerling supply and service vessel for feed/general supply and harvesting operations are being designed to support the overall offshore development and ensure that operations can continue in a safe and efficient manner.