MAT-KULING signed a new contract with Saudi Arabia’s aquaculture company NAQUA (National Aquaculture Group) to develop and deliver a next-generation hatchery for Barramundi. The hatchery is set to become the most advanced and technologically innovative facility of its kind in the region, supporting NAQUA’s vision for sustainable growth and expanded production capacity.
The signing ceremony was held with distinguished guests in attendance, including Marianne Sivertsen Næss, Norway’s Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy, and Johan Christopher Vibe, Norwegian Ambassador to Spain. Their presence underlines the strength of Norwegian-Saudi cooperation in the aquaculture sector and highlights the international importance of this collaboration.
“This project is more than a contract—it is a commitment to excellence, sustainability, and innovation in aquaculture. We are proud to bring our expertise and cutting-edge solutions to support NAQUA’s ambitious development goals,” said Taner Bilgic, general manager & CTO of MAT-KULING.
By combining NAQUA’s strong operational foundation with MAT-KULING’s advanced hatchery design and engineering, this partnership aims to set a new standard for aquaculture infrastructure in the Middle East.
New partnership in Oman
During the Seafood Global Expo in Barcelona, MAT-KULING signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with United Aquaculture Company (UA) to initiate a major collaboration in marine aquaculture development in Seeb Port, Oman.
This strategic partnership aims to establish a fully integrated aquaculture project with an annual production target of 5,000 tons of premium-quality marine seafood, focusing on the cultivation of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). The project will span the entire value chain, including hatchery operations with a capacity of 20 million juveniles ready for offshore transfer, offshore grow-out systems, and advanced seafood processing and packing facilities.
From left to right: Kaare Haahjem, Tanju Özdemirden – Head of Aquaculture Department of General Directorate of Fisheries and Aquatic Products, Serkan Ilgaz – General Manager of United Aquaculture, Bjorn Dorum – Chairman of MAT-KULING, Turgay Turkyilmaz – Head of Fisheries Department / Ministry of Food Agriculture and Livestock in Turkey, Erdem Akartepe – Chairman of MAT Filtration Technologies, Taner Bilgic – General Manager and CTO of MAT-KULING, Gokhan Birlikci – General Manager of MAT Filtration Technologies. Credits: MAT-KULING
