ASL Marine has secured a rare newbuilding order for two floating fish farms as part of Singapore’s efforts to improve food security.
The two units have been ordered by compatriot company Aquaculture Centre of Excellence. No financial terms were disclosed.
Construction on the two Eco-Ark floating fish farms is due to start later this month, with delivery set for the first quarter of 2021.
ASL said the patented novel offshore advanced hull system (NOAHS) Eco-Ark adopts uses “proven offshore and marine technology”.
The two units will be designed, constructed and surveyed by Bureau Veritas and will be classed under the special purpose floating fish farm notation.
Upon completion, the two fish farms will be anchored in the northern coast of Singapore near the island of Pulau Ubin.
ASL said the floating fish farms are designed to meet the increasing local demand for fish and Singapore’s plan to meet 30% of its nutritional needs domestically by 2030.
The city-state’s reliance on food imports has been cruelly highlighted by the recent Covid-19 outbreak, which has seen supply lines impacted.
Established in 2017, ACE said it aims to “revolutionise fish farming” with an “eco-friendly, cost effective and sustainable method”; allowing fresh and healthy fish to be readily available to consumers everywhere.
“We responsibly raise fish in chemical-free conditions, using this game-changing technology as an alternative to traditional fish farming to raise healthy fish while also preserving the environment around us,” it said.
ACE chief executive Leow Ban Tat is said to have a strong shipping industry background with more than 30 years in the marine and offshore industry.
He is said to have held various senior positions in major offshore companies, including Keppel Corp, ASL Shipyard and PaxOcean Marine and Offshore. He is also a director at Singapore shipbuilder Penguin International.
Last month, Ang Kok Tian-led ASL Marine said some of its workers had returned to work after Singapore lifted its 'circuit breaker', but cautioned that work at the yard continued to be impacted by a worker shortage.
