World’s first closed steel fish farming cage launched. On Sunday, 1 November 2026, VARIG 001 was launched at BAUTA Næringspark in Aukra, Norway. The closed steel fish farming cage is the first of its kind and marks a significant milestone for BAUTA Fishfarms in its efforts to develop innovative solutions for the aquaculture industry.
Development of VARIG began in spring 2024, with production commencing at BAUTA Næringspark in Aukra, on Norway’s west coast, in spring 2026. The launch required extensive planning, precise coordination and a high level of technical expertise.
“This is a major milestone for us. VARIG represents years of hard work, dedication and a strong belief in our ability to help shape the future of aquaculture. Despite a demanding project schedule, we have managed to stay on track. Seeing the structure enter the water is a proud moment for everyone involved. We are incredibly proud of the team and everyone who has contributed to making this possible,” says Gjermund Kvernmo Langset, Managing Director of BAUTA Fishfarms and Chief Development Officer (CDO) of BAUTA Group.
Developed for the future of aquaculture
VARIG has been developed to address some of the key challenges facing the aquaculture industry. The closed steel structure is designed to provide greater control over the farming environment while helping to reduce the environmental impact of fish farming.
The solution combines the owners’ expertise in steel structures, wellboat operations, and both land-based and floating closed-containment aquaculture systems.
The ownership group, comprising BAUTA Group, Rofisk and Prophylaxia, has also established OceanDock. The company has purchased the first cage and will lease it to a fish farming operator. This business model aims to make the technology more accessible to fish farmers.
“We believe in our design and its potential to help address some of the major challenges facing the aquaculture industry. There are significant opportunities for further growth and better utilisation of existing production capacity, but this development must take place in a sustainable and responsible manner. This is where we aim to make a difference,” says Kvernmo Langset.
Collaboration and expertise
Approximately 200 people from across BAUTA Group and external suppliers have been involved in the construction of VARIG. The project has brought together expertise from multiple disciplines, with close collaboration and technical expertise playing a key role in delivering the complex structure.
BAUTA Maritime has been responsible for the steel construction and outfitting, while BAUTA Metal has supplied cut-to-size steel materials. BAUTA Electro has been responsible for electrical installations and automation systems. Several other local suppliers have also made valuable contributions to the project.
“An enormous amount of work has gone into making this possible. Skilled professionals have shown great dedication throughout the project, demonstrating what we can achieve through close collaboration across disciplines. Our strong regional network of suppliers allows us to source and deliver nearly everything we need locally. We have every reason to be proud of what we have accomplished together,” says John Arve Sundet, Chairman of BAUTA Fishfarms and BAUTA Group.
BAUTA Fishfarms has the production capacity to manufacture up to 30 steel cages of this type annually.
To be tested with 200,000 fish
The launch marks the beginning of the next phase of the project. VARIG will now undergo final outfitting and preparations before being towed to Gjermundnes in Vestnes, Norway, where Prophylaxia will put the cage into operation.
The plan is to introduce fish into the cage six to eight weeks after handover. The first production cycle will provide valuable insights into how the system performs under real operating conditions.
“We plan to stock the cage with 200,000 fish, which will remain there for approximately four months before being transferred to conventional open-net pens. During this period, we will conduct extensive testing of key factors, including water circulation, oxygen supply and sludge management,” says Bjørn Vegard Løvik, Chairman of Prophylaxia.
The testing phase will generate valuable operational experience and data to support further development and optimisation of the solution.
Next step: Operations
With VARIG now in the water, a major phase of the project has been successfully completed. The next steps include final outfitting, transport to Gjermundnes and preparations for the start of operations.
“We have reached a significant milestone in the project. There is still work ahead of us, but the successful launch was a crucial step. We now look forward to seeing VARIG in operation and gaining valuable insights that will support its continued development,” says Kvernmo Langset.
About BAUTA Fishfarms
BAUTA Fishfarms develops and produces solutions for the aquaculture industry, with a particular focus on closed steel fish farming systems. The company is headquartered in Tomrefjord in Vestnes municipality, Norway, and is part of BAUTA Group.
About VARIG
VARIG is the world’s first closed steel fish farming cage and represents a technological breakthrough in the Norwegian aquaculture industry. The solution combines industrial-scale production capacity and a long service life with ambitions for more sustainable seafood production, improved fish welfare and reduced environmental impact.
Image: Kjell Stian Brunes
