Correction: Information on recirculating aquaculture systems was removed from this story, as it doesn't relate to Mowi's closed cages.
Bergen, Norway-headquartered salmon-farming firm Mowi has ordered five new closed cages for its operations, which are expected to double its capacity by the end of 2027.
The company claims to be the world’s largest operator of closed fish cages, producing around 20 million fish in its facilities to date.
According to a release by Mowi, the new cages are part of a longer-term commitment to post-smolt production, which extends the freshwater growth phase for young salmon. The process reduces mortality rates, susceptibility to disease, and stress levels.
“Extending the time our smolts spend in freshwater benefits the fish and the environment,” Mowi said in a March 2025 report. “By allowing smolts additional time to grow larger and stronger, they develop into healthier, more resilient salmon. This improves the quality of the final product and helps the fish withstand the harsher conditions of the open seas. Additionally, by shortening the time salmon spend at sea, we can reduce our overall environmental footprint, contributing to the industry’s long-term sustainability.”
The cages were ordered from FiiZK and Fishglobe Technologies, and delivery will be distributed across 11 units throughout 2026 and 2027. Current closed-cage production volume is about 170,000 cubic meters, but with the addition of the new cages, volume will nearly double to around 320,000 cubic meters, according to data from Kristiansund, Norway-based seafood market intelligence company Kontali.
Closed cage production is something Mowi has employed since 2013, when it was one of the first aquaculture companies to do so. Mowi cited closed cages as a “vital addition to both land-based post-smolt production and traditional open cages.”
“At the same time, closed-cage technology is still under development, and further experience, optimization, and innovation are required before it can be deployed on a significantly larger scale,” Mowi noted.
