Oslo airport to become the largest dedicated seafood air hub

August 21, 2018: Oslo airport is set to be the world’s largest dedicated seafood air hub that will be designed to handle 250,000 tonnes of seafood a year, flying salmon, cod and shellfish to all parts of the world. The new hub should be operational by 2021.

A MoU has been signed between Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) and Sjømatterminalen AS to operate the Seafood Center at Oslo Airport. The contract bagged by WFS is estimated to be worth around £80 million.

Norway currently exports 600 tonnes of seafood a day, but only a third of that total leaves from Oslo. The rest is shipped to other airports in Europe, with London Heathrow a major transit point.

The new facility will fulfill industry requirements for cool chain logistics and innovation.

“We have listened to the exporters and their needs to ensure quality and time to market. I believe the dedication from the Seafood Exporters in this project is an acknowledgement of the project itself. The Seafood Center will create value for all of Norway and increase the competitiveness of Norwegian Seafood globally,” added Øyvind Hasaas, executive vice president of Oslo Airport.

In 2018, Norwegian Seafood as air cargo is expected to reach some 230,000 tonnes. As a result, Oslo Airport is now the largest freighter airport in Northern Europe with 14 cargo airlines calling at the airport weekly.

John Batten, executive vice president cargo EMEAA at WFS, stated, “As one of the world’s leading cargo handlers globally, we are excited to expand our network into Norway and Oslo Airport. The Seafood industry is a unique opportunity for us to share our experience and excellence in air cargo handling. We look forward to opening a dedicated facility at Oslo Airport that is fully adapted to the future needs of the Seafood industry. Our terminal will be a game changer in the handling of Seafood as air cargo and be an important part of ensuring the future growth of one of Norway’s most important industries.”