Previously, crew members had to manually open and close the hatch to the feed storage during fish feed deliveries, regardless of weather conditions. However, the Valøyluka hatch opens automatically. As the world's first self-opening hatch for feed barges, it has been a success by simplifying fish feed delivery. It has also reduced the risk of accidents and injuries in the sometimes-challenging working conditions at sea.
“The Valøyluka is designed to be weatherproof in all conditions. The feed hose is inserted into the hatch, which then opens automatically. Once the hose is in place, the fish feed delivery can begin,” explains Camilla Prytz, General Manager of Kystteknikk Mechanical, the Frøya-based company that has developed and produced the hatch, which they now plan to launch internationally.
The Valøyluka was developed in collaboration with the local aquaculture industry on Frøya and was named after the first site where it was installed. It is a truly Norwegian aquaculture product that has been installed at an increasing number of sites over the past 12 years.
“Frøya is, in many ways, an epicenter for aquaculture, with significant activity and many innovations emerging from the industry here. It is no coincidence that this product originates from here. It has been thoroughly tested over many years. However, as a smaller supplier, we do not have the capacity to market and sell individual products on a larger scale. People have often seen or heard about Valøyluka and simply order it. We have produced over 1,000 hatches since we started, meaning they have been installed on many barges along the Norwegian coast,” says Prytz.
Kystteknikk Mechanical's main business is as a total supplier of mechanical services for the aquaculture sector. This includes retrofitting, engineering, servicing, repairing, installing, and adapting fish-carrying pipes and equipment on workboats, delousing vessels, and well boats. Their customers include some of Norway's largest aquaculture companies, many of which operate internationally.
“With our location, we frequently have vessels coming in for mechanical work, and we can retrofit Valøyluka hatches,” explains Prytz.
Bio Marine sells other essential equipment for aquaculture, and the Valøyluka hatch fits well into their product portfolio. Kystteknikk Mechanical is now entering into a partnership agreement with Bio Marine, making them the sales channel for the market—something they look forward to.
“The hatch is well-established, but unfortunately, it is not well known outside of our regular customers. It is robust, reliable, and thoroughly tested by satisfied customers. Additionally, we have further reinforced it, making it ready for the open seas,” concludes Camilla Prytz, General Manager of Kystteknikk Mechanical on Frøya.