MOMEK becomes co-owner of Utror – focusing on offshore aquaculture
Picture from today's press conference at MOMEK in Mo Industripark. From left: Jacob Palmer Meland (Lovundlaks), Olav-Andreas Ervik (Utror), Bjørn Audun Risøy (MOMEK) and Roger Skatland (MOMEK). Photo: Andreas Lie.
Mo i Rana, September 2, 2025
The industrial group MOMEK Group, with around 600 employees and based in Mo Industripark, is now entering offshore aquaculture through an issue of shares in the fish farming company Utror. The venture marks an important step in connecting Helgeland's industrial core to what is being described as Norway's next great industrial adventure.
MOMEK has been a key supplier to the process industry, mineral industry, aquaculture, renewable energy, construction, oil and gas and other industries in the region for decades. Now the company is turning its attention to a new, emerging industry: offshore aquaculture.
– Offshore aquaculture is a new industry that will require the same type of execution capability and technological expertise that we have built up in the oil and gas industry, among other things. For us, this is about using our capacity and our employees to take part in the next big industrial adventure in Helgeland, says Roger Skatland, CEO of MOMEK Group.
– We at MOMEK have faith in Utror and the people there, and will actively contribute to creating new future-oriented jobs and values for Helgeland and Norway, says Bjørn Audun Risøy, head of investments, communications and society at MOMEK.
Industrial heaviness into Utror
Through the issue of NOK 25 million, MOMEK, Selsøyvik Havbruk and Ellingflesa Holding become new owners of Utror.
– The fact that MOMEK chooses to invest in us shows that offshore aquaculture also represents great opportunities for the supplier industry. With heavy industrial capacity, relevant expertise and a clear will to build the industry of the future, they significantly strengthen our foundation. Together with the investment from Selsøyvik and Ellingflesa, we are now even better equipped to realize offshore aquaculture from Helgeland, says Olav-Andreas Ervik, CEO of Utror.
Great value creation potential
A recent analysis from Oslo Economics indicates that offshore aquaculture on Trænabanken alone could provide an annual production of 450,000 tons of salmon and trigger investments of NOK 45 billion by 2040.
– We see a unique opportunity to unite aquaculture and industry. We want offshore aquaculture to create jobs, ripple effects and technology development here in Helgeland, says Jacob Palmer Meland, owner and CEO of Lovundlaks, the initiator behind Utror.
– With new owners on the team, Utror is well equipped and positioned to compete for permits for offshore aquaculture on Trænabanken in 2026, emphasizes Ervik.