The bespoke factory will focus on the onboard production of individually quick-frozen (IQF) scallop meat, delivering an exceptional product from Arctic scallops to the seafood market. The scallops are harvested with Ava Ocean’s award-winning technology in the remote Barents Sea in Norway, making the products truly unique on a global scale.

"Producing scallops in the Barents Sea requires a factory capable of performing under challenging conditions. Our partnership with Optimar aims to develop a solution that not only meets these challenges but also delivers premium-quality, ready-to-eat products that reflect the true value of these uniquely harvested scallops from the Arctic," said Øystein Tvedt, CEO of Ava Ocean.

"We have acquired invaluable insights over the past two years of operation that we are applying to this project. Combined with our unique non-invasive harvesting concept, the frozen-at-sea Arctic scallop meat will stand apart in the market, and efficient, high-quality factory production is essential to providing sustainable premium seafood products that are unrivalled worldwide," Tvedt explained.

Optimar’s Sales Manager for Spain, Miguel Gonzales commented: "Evolving market demands aren’t just challenges—they’re opportunities. Thanks to an exceptional collaboration with AVA’s team, we’ve immersed ourselves in this intricate process, mastering every detail to craft a solution that’s both robust and flexible. Rooted in the company’s deep expertise, our approach transforms complexity into innovation."

Research-driven innovation in seafood processing

With Optimar as a partner, Ava Ocean has also received 3.6 million NOK (approximately £290,000) in funding from the Research Council of Norway to further develop factory solutions for Arctic scallops in the Barents Sea.

This project, titled “SHELL” (Sustainable, High-Efficiency, Low-Emission Shellfish Processing), is a collaborative effort with Nofima and Sintef, aiming to identify more efficient production methods for scallops that produce lower emissions while improving seafood quality.

“Innovation is something we strive to do not only when it comes to harvesting, but in all aspects of our operations,” says Dagny-Elise Anastassiou, project manager and Chief Impact Officer at Ava Ocean. “We are delighted to be able to integrate a research dimension into the processing aspect of our project, aiming to close technology gaps and find optimal ways of processing scallops onboard for both quality and efficiency.”

Vessel refit underway to continue historic fishery

The development of this state-of-the-art factory is a key component of a vessel refit process currently underway at Fiskerstrand Shipyard outside Aalesund in Norway. Ava Ocean’s new vessel, previously known as Artemis Arctic and originally a prawn trawler named Ocean Trawler, was sold to Ava Ocean in a trade deal with Maritimt Management in 2024.

In the rebuild, Ava Ocean’s patented harvesting solution will be fitted to the new vessel, and the new factory installed along with several other improvements. Upon completion, the ship, which is yet to be renamed, will recommence the fishery of Arctic scallops in the Barents Sea, which, thanks to the proven non-invasiveness of the harvesting technique, was reopened by Ava Ocean in 2023.