DNV buys major fish health business Åkerblå

Independent assurance and risk management provider DNV has entered into an agreement to acquire Norway-based marine and fish health company Åkerblå Group, which also has interests in the UK.

DNV says the move will strengthen its existing aquaculture and offshore renewables services portfolio in Europe and help build an aquaculture powerhouse.

The Åkerblå Group provides clients with knowledge-based advice and verification through interdisciplinary expertise in fish health, biodiversity and technical services, to support sustainable practices and operations in the ocean. The Group has offices and laboratories in Norway, UK, Iceland and Lithuania.

Last year the Åkerblå Group AS announced it was buying into the UK-owned Ecospan Environmental Limited which specialises in ecological monitoring programmes, oceanographic studies and several other marine-related activities.

DNV CEO and group president Remi Eriksen described the deal as a “major vote of confidence by DNV in the future of aquaculture, and specifically in knowledge-driven solutions that balance ocean wealth with ocean health.”

The Åkerblå Group has 306 employees across Norway, the UK and Iceland, and includes six companies.

Geir Fuglerud, CEO of Supply Chain & Product Assurance at DNV, said: “As the fastest growing food producing sector, there is enormous potential for the aquaculture industry to meet the growing demands for protein across the world.

“DNV already provides a range of services to aquaculture customers, principally on infrastructure, digitalization, supply chain management and management system certification.

“Combining these activities with the world-leading competence that Åkerblå Group possesses on fish health and welfare will create a true aquaculture services powerhouse which can support businesses at every part of the aquaculture value chain. We look forward to joining forces with highly skilled colleagues from Åkerblå Group.”

Roger Sørensen, CEO of Åkerblå Group, commented: “Åkerblå Group and DNV are both passionately committed to the sustainable growth of aquaculture. With new ownership, Åkerblå Group’s ambitions to grow its operations globally have been given a significant boost.

“Both companies aspire to the highest quality and integrity in everything they do and are motivated by knowledge- and science-based progress. I am looking forward to seeing the positive change we can achieve together for our customers, our people and the wider industry.”