Aker QRILL Company, the krill harvester and producer of krill-based ingredients recently divested from Aker BioMarine, signed an agreement with Tersan Shipyard to construct its fourth state-of-the-art krill fishing vessel. This agreement involves the purchase and significant rebuilding of a project that was canceled 18 months ago. It secures continued sustainable supplies of feed and raw materials from Antarctic krill, recognized as the world’s largest single-species biomass.
For Aker QRILLCompany, the new vessel is a vital step forward in its mission to provide sustainable, premium nutrition and further strengthen its position in the krill industry. For Tersan Shipyard, the agreement finds a buyer for a vessel that was essentially completed in 2023.
“This partnership represents an ideal solution for both parties,” said Webjørn Barstad, CEO of Aker QRILL Company. “Adding a fourth vessel to our fleet is crucial for our success as we enter the next phase of growth and development. Equipped with the latest and most advanced technologies, this vessel will bolster our ambition to maintain our leadership position in the krill industry and ensure access to renewable and sustainable marine raw materials—vital to meet the growing global demand for sustainable marine feed ingredients with excellent nutritional qualities.”
The vessel will undergo significant rebuilding and customization to meet the specialized requirements of Aker QRILL Company, creating several important contracts for Norwegian maritime suppliers and further strengthening the company’s ties to local expertise and innovation. Connected to the project Aker QRILL Company also works with significant advances in the use of alternative fuels.
Vice president Ahmet Paksu of Tersan Shipyard expressed his satisfaction with the agreement. “We are glad to finally find a solution to a challenge we have been working hard to solve. This partnership provides valuable opportunities for both parties, and we are grateful for the chance to complete and deliver this vessel. Partnering with Aker QRILL Company, the global leader in sustainable krill fishery, aligns perfectly with our vision of innovation and excellence.”
The vessel will operate under a Norwegian fisheries license in the CCAMLR krill fishery starting in the third quarter of 2026.
