GLIL Infrastructure has acquired Sølvtrans AS, the world’s largest wellboat company, for an undisclosed amount. The deal transfers full ownership of the Norwegian firm to GLIL, a UK-based infrastructure investment vehicle backed by pension funds. Sølvtrans will continue to operate under its existing management, with the acquisition structured as a buyout of the company’s current shareholders.
Sølvtrans specialises in the transport of live salmon and trout, operating a fleet of 33 modern wellboats on long-term contracts with leading fish-farming companies in Norway, Scotland, Canada, Chile and Australia. The company is also a pioneer in closed-system technology, an environmentally friendly approach that reduces infection risk, improves animal welfare, and lowers operational costs for fish handling and transport. In addition to its current fleet, Sølvtrans has 11 new wellboats under construction.
For GLIL, the acquisition represents an entry into the aquaculture logistics sector, a niche but capital-intensive market with stable, contract-backed revenue streams. The infrastructure investor typically targets long-duration assets with predictable cash flows, and Sølvtrans fits that profile given its multi-year contracts with established aquaculture producers. The deal also aligns with growing demand for sustainable seafood, where closed-system transport is increasingly seen as a critical component.
The transaction is expected to provide Sølvtrans with access to long-term capital to fund its ongoing fleet expansion and technology development. GLIL’s ownership is likely to support the company’s existing growth plans without disrupting its operational focus. The 11 vessels under construction are scheduled for delivery over the coming years, which will strengthen Sølvtrans’ capacity to serve its global customer base.
With GLIL’s backing, Sølvtrans is positioned to maintain its leadership in wellboat operations while advancing its closed-system technology. The combined entity will focus on executing the current build programme and renewing contracts as they come due, with the broader aim of consolidating its role in sustainable aquaculture logistics across key markets.