A well-established Norwegian industrial group with deep roots in the marine and seafood industry needed large-scale storage capacity for fish oil. The company, founded in the 19th century and headquartered in western Norway, serves both Norwegian and international markets with high-quality processing and storage solutions for the fishing industry. Gpi Tanks XL was commissioned to engineer and build three vertical storage tanks, each with a capacity of 2,800 m³.
The customer’s request
The customer needed three large fish oil storage tanks that could withstand demanding coastal conditions while meeting strict European design standards. The combination of a Norwegian marine climate, the nature of the stored product, and the required volume made choosing the right material and construction method essential. Engineering decisions in a project like this directly impact long-term performance and total cost of ownership.
The technical solution
The engineering was carried out according to SEP requirements and based on the EN 14015 standard, the European norm for vertical, cylindrical, flat-bottomed steel tanks for the storage of liquids at ambient temperature. Each of the three tanks has a diameter of 13.25 metres and a height of 21 metres, providing 2,800 m³ of storage capacity per tank.
For the material, we selected Lean Duplex stainless steel 1.4162 (LDX 2101). This grade combines high mechanical strength with excellent corrosion resistance, while being more cost-effective than traditional duplex or austenitic grades such as 316L. For fish oil storage in a coastal environment, it offers the ideal balance between durability, performance, and economy.
The tanks were built at our production facility using our proprietary Coil Building construction method. With this technique, stainless steel coils are fabricated under controlled factory conditions and assembled by unrolling and welding the coils into position. Compared to traditional plate-by-plate construction, Coil Building significantly reduces the number of vertical welds, which improves structural integrity and lowers the risk of weld-related defects. The method also enables faster production and consistent weld quality. After completion, the three tanks were transported by sea to their final destination in Norway.
Collaboration and delivery
This project required close coordination between our engineering and production teams and the customer’s project organisation. Producing three tanks of this size demands careful planning of production sequencing and logistics. The sea transport to Norway added an additional layer of complexity, requiring thorough preparation to ensure the tanks arrived safely and on schedule at the customer’s site.
The result
The customer now has three fish oil storage tanks that are built to last. The Lean Duplex stainless steel ensures long-term corrosion resistance in the demanding Norwegian coastal environment, while Coil Building delivered high construction quality and efficient production. Together, the three tanks provide a total storage capacity of 8,400 m³, supporting the customer’s seafood processing operations for years to come.
