Oslo to become salmon super hub

THE world’s largest dedicated seafood air hub is to be built at Oslo airport after it was announced at the weekend that the cargo handler Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) had won the estimated £80 million contract.
Work will begin early next year and the new hub should be operational by 2021. It will be designed to handle 250,000 tonnes of seafood a year, flying salmon, cod and shellfish to all parts of the world.
Norway currently exports 600 tonnes of seafood a day, but only a third of that total leaves from Oslo.
The rest is shipped to other airports in Europe, with London Heathrow a major transit point. The new centre will be specially designed to meet ‘industry requirements for cool chain logistics and innovation’.
Run by Avinor, Oslo is now one of the fastest growing cargo airports in Europe – thanks to the success of Norway’s seafood industry.
Martin Langaas, Avinor airline director, said: ‘We are very pleased to put into place this agreement.
‘WFS has shown great interest in the project and we believe their competence as a worldwide freight operator will help secure the industry\’s future cooling logistics requirements and solutions that can handle the strong expected growth in Norwegian seafood.’
He said the move would help to make Norwegian seafood more competitive globally and make Oslo airport the preferred hub in northern Europe.
John Batten, WFS executive vice president Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: ‘As one of the world leading cargo handlers, we are excited to expand our network into Norway and Oslo airport.
‘Our terminal will be a game changer in the handling of seafood as air cargo and be an important part of ensuring the future growth of one of Norway’s most important industries.’