With two new diving boats and a tripling of the crew, the KB group in Rørvik will share unique expertise in deepwater services.
Several of the major salmon farmers in Norway have invested in submerged cage technology, following very good experiences from companies such as SinkabergHansen. In March, fish health expert Brit Hjeltnes concluded that "you can put two bold strokes under the fact that you dramatically reduce the lice burden by going deep." This spring, 20 percent of the fish in Lerøy Seafood will be released into the sea in submerged cages.
KB Group is one of the few service companies with expertise and practical experience in diving and service assignments on submersible cage technology. The diving company, which became part of the Smir Group earlier this year, is now investing in two new boats to meet a growing need for diving and service services in deepwater operations.
– Our goal is to be the best service company for deep-sea operations in the country. To meet the growing interest in this form of operation, we also need far more professional divers. Today we have 15 employees, but will now expand to around 40, says Are Brekk , general manager of the Smir Group's shipping operations.
Increases capacity
The KB Group has now purchased two modern high-speed boats that have all the characteristics in terms of design, seaworthiness and technical equipment that divers and business developers need. Ola Krystad believes is needed to consolidate its position in the market. Now he is looking for professional divers who want to be part of the investment in deep diving.
– In deep-sea operations, it is crucial to keep the fish submerged throughout the entire production period after release into the sea and until the fish are harvested, to avoid the fish being lifted into the water column where the lice live. This places different demands on service and maintenance work than in traditional surface operations, where everything must take place far down in the sea, explains Krystad.
During 2024, an increasing proportion of farmed salmon will be produced using submersible technologies. The KB Group is now increasing its capacity to offer its unique experience and leading expertise in submersible net service to more people.
– The experiences we have from deep drilling will be important for anyone who invests and wants to copy the results of the best Norwegian pioneers in deep drilling. We are investing now so that as many as possible will succeed, says Ola Krystad.
The approximately 25 new divers who will now be hired will go through the KB school diver certification scheme and will thereby gain cutting-edge expertise in the field.
– We do not have a goal to become the largest service company, but we can become one within some segments, says Are Brekk with a small smile on his face.
