DNV has entered into an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Aquabench S.A., a Chile-based provider of services, analytics and industry insights for the salmon farming sector. The investment is intended to support Aquabench’s growth and strengthen its capabilities in digitalisation, data analytics and sustainable aquaculture.
Chile is the world's second-largest salmon producer and one of the most significant aquaculture markets globally. Through DNV's international presence and technical expertise, Aquabench is expected to gain access to additional capabilities while retaining its local industry knowledge, customer relationships and independent position.
Aquabench operates as a neutral, collaborative information platform for the Chilean aquaculture industry. Its database brings together production, environmental and fish health information to support industry analysis and decision-making. Both companies have stated that confidentiality, data security and responsible data governance will remain central to the business, alongside compliance with applicable competition laws.
"Chile is one of the world’s most important producers of high value seafood, and the investment in Aquabench reflects DNV’s long-term commitment to supporting the sustainable development of the industry. With DNV as a majority owner, Aquabench will have an even stronger foundation for developing new offerings and delivery models, continuing to be a strategic support for the Chilean aquaculture industry and adjacent sectors," said Geir Fuglerud, CEO Life Sciences at DNV.
Focus on Fish Health, Biosecurity and Environmental Analytics
As part of DNV's global ecosystem, Aquabench will be positioned to develop services in areas including fish health, biosecurity, environmental analytics and sustainability. One priority is the expansion of collaborative fish health projects, which can facilitate knowledge-sharing and support the development of best practices across markets and regions.
The partnership is also expected to accelerate the development of digital solutions. DNV's experience in risk management, technology and assurance will complement Aquabench's local data and industry expertise. The companies aim to provide customers with more reliable information, efficient processes and improved analytical capabilities to support operational and production-related decisions.
"Aquabench has built a unique position based on trust, data and deep industry knowledge. By combining the company's local expertise and insight with DNV’s global capabilities, we see significant opportunities to accelerate innovation, digitalization and knowledge-sharing for the benefit of customers in Chile and abroad," said Rikard Albrigtsen, International Business Development Lead at DNV.
The investment will also connect Aquabench with DNV's international networks of experts in aquaculture, technology and sustainability, creating opportunities for collaboration and knowledge transfer across markets.
Salmobench Platform to Support Digital Decision-Making
The transaction is expected to strengthen Aquabench's role as an independent knowledge partner as aquaculture companies face increasing demands relating to traceability, sustainability and operational efficiency.
"Aquaculture companies are facing increasingly stringent requirements related to traceability, sustainability and operational efficiency. This investment gives us the opportunity to strengthen our role as an independent knowledge partner and offer the industry increasingly digital, precise and future-oriented solutions," said Joel Leal, General Manager of Aquabench.
A key part of the development will be Salmobench, Aquabench's digital intelligence platform for the Chilean salmon industry. The platform is intended to support informed decision-making across the aquaculture value chain through industry data and digital insights.
The investment follows DNV's recent acquisition of a majority stake in Aqualis, a Chilean provider of aquaculture infrastructure inspection and certification services. Together, the investments reflect DNV's broader commitment to the Chilean aquaculture sector, combining capabilities in infrastructure assurance, industry analytics and digital decision support.
Reference: https://www.dnv.com/news/2026/dnv-acquires-majority-stake-in-aquabench/
