Norway’s MAT-KULING, a company dedicated to the fabrication of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and filtration equipment for land based fish farming, has officially kicked off the procurement, supply, and construction phase of a major hatchery project for FBU-NAQUA (National Aquaculture Group- NAQUA) in Al Lith, Saudi Arabia. This project showcases the strength of its Compact Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (CRAS) in delivering advanced hatchery solutions for large-scale fry production. Designed to produce up to 40 million barramundi or Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) fry annually, the facility is built around the company’s compact, efficient, and biosecure system philosophy.
At the heart of the hatchery are CRAS units applied across the most critical production stages. The project includes 4 broodstock systems, 3 larval rearing systems, and dedicated live feed production systems for Rotifers and Artemia, demonstrating how this technology supports reliable production, efficient use of space, and high operational control within one fully integrated hatchery concept.
A further distinguishing feature is the inclusion of 85 prefabricated tanks of various sizes, all design-built in-house, combining durable thermoplastic solutions with advanced system design for consistent engineering quality. With a main building area of 3,412 m² and a total construction area of 4,143 m², the hatchery is designed not only for scale but also for smart, controlled, and efficient operation at every stage. Advanced feeding technologies, PLC-based automation with HMI interfaces, independent recirculation loops, and strict biosecurity zoning ensure precision, reliability and sustainability.
This project sets a new benchmark for modern hatchery development in the Middle East, highlighting the company’s ability to deliver large-scale, integrated, and high-performance aquaculture infrastructure for demanding environments.
In May 2025, MAT-KULING had announced a major milestone: the signing of a new contract with one of the largest aquaculture operations in the world and a key player in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s rapidly growing seafood industry. This strategic partnership marks the beginning of an exciting project—the development and delivery of a next-generation hatchery for barramundi, a premium species with increasing global demand. 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.
“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.
Looking towards the future, 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.
