Andfjord Salmon: Claim for compensation against main contractor
Andfjord Salmon Group AS (“Andfjord Salmon”) has submitted a claim of NOK 1+ billion against main contractor AF Hæhre & Contur Ans (“the contractor”). The claim relates to grossly negligent performance of the contractor’s obligations and wilful breach of its civil works contract in connection with the construction of Andfjord Salmon’s land-based aquaculture facility at Kvalnes, Andøya, Norway.
The claim, which exceeds NOK 1 billion, reflects previously communicated budget revisions including the NOK 500 million upward revised capex budget announced on 28 May this year as well as earlier communicated changes.
The claim is related to recovery of incurred costs resulting from the contractor’s gross negligence in executing construction methods recommended by the contractor, insufficient cost control, inadequate project management and prioritization of work, incorrect invoicing, and compensation for costs and losses arising from the contractor’s wilful breach of contract. While the construction method itself is sound, the issues stem from the contractor’s inability to deliver the work within the agreed cost framework.
FISH FARMING OPERATIONS UNAFFECTED
Over the past couple of months, Andfjord Salmon has released a total of NOK 1.1 billion smolt in pools K0 and K1. The smolt releases have been highly successful, proven by high survival rates and solid growth. The ongoing fish farming operations are unaffected by the breach of contract.
ENGAGEMENT WITH NEW CONTRACTORS
Pool K0 was completed in 2022, and pool K1 was completed in September this year. The construction of the next pool, K3, is close to completion. The need for further new pools for splitting of biomass and new releases will not arise until the spring/summer of 2026.
Andfjord Salmon has already engaged with several possible new contractors for completion of the next two pools – K2 and K4 – that are part of the ongoing build-out phase. Andfjord Salmon estimates mobilisation costs of approximately NOK 20 million to replace the current main contractor.
The change of contractor is expected to have a non-material effect on the company’s production plans.
Due to Andfjord Salmon’s NOK 1+ billion claim, the company has withheld further payment of invoices to AF Hæhre & Contur.
Contacts
Investors: Bjarne Martinsen, CFO
Andfjord Salmon Group AS
Tel:
About Andfjord Salmon
Located at Andøya on the Arctic Archipelago of Vesterålen, Norway, Andfjord Salmon is developing the world's most sustainable and fish-friendly aquaculture facility of its kind. Through a proprietary flow-through system, Andfjord Salmon combines the best from ocean and land-based salmon farming. In its first production cycle, the company achieved an industry-leading survival rate of 97.5 percent, feed conversion ratio of 1.05, superior share of 91.1 percent, and required 1 kWh to produce one kilo of salmon. For more information, see www.andfjordsalmon.com.
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