From sea to market: VITO's research enhances seaweed supply chains

Optimising seaweed logistics for efficiency and scalability

Recognising the critical role of efficient logistics in a growing seaweed industry, VITO used its MooV-model on supply chain optimisation to evaluate the potential for efficiency gains. The outcomes provide decision support, helping stakeholders optimise their seaweed supply chains by evaluating the impact of various supply chain configurations on logistics costs. 

"An efficient supply chain and well-coordinated logistics are fundamental to meeting the requirements for economically viable and larger-scale seaweed production." explains Annelies De Meyer, Senior MooV developer at VITO. The MooV-model, adapted for QualiSea, integrates all supply chain activities, detailing their characteristics, constraints, and interconnections. 

The QualiSea model evaluates logistics costs for a variety of scenarios, starting with a prospective baseline. Other future scenarios are compared with this baseline, varying in productivity rate, demand volumes, preservation techniques, and offshore transportation strategies. Ruben Guisson, MooV manager at VITO, highlights: "By evaluating the impacts of different parameters (costs, mileage, loading rates, transport movements), stakeholders can make well-informed choices to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of their supply chains." 

The model was now tailored to seaweed production in Norway, but designed with flexibility, enabling its applicability across the EU and to different seaweed species. Key findings from the scenario analysis include: 

• Impact of demand: With higher demand volumes (e.g., 13,300 tons) mobilisation costs are maintained despite increased logistics complexity, thanks to more efficient harvesting strategies and increased loading rates. 

• Impact of seaweed production/cultivation: Increasing seaweed productivity (tons/ha) significantly reduces mobilisation costs, primarily due to decreased cultivation expenses and lower offshore transport costs. 

• Impact of preservation methods: Alternative preservation methods like acid preservation and fermentation offer cost advantages over freezing (the baseline), mainly due to lower energy costs. 

• Impact of offshore transport strategies: Utilising larger seaweed transport barges combined with optimised pickup routes lowers mobilisation costs by improving the efficiency of harvesting operations. 

As the QualiSea model is tested and validated, it is now ready for application across EU regions as the seaweed industry advances.

Sustainable seaweed preservation through ensilage

Alongside supply chain optimisation, VITO has been exploring ensilage, a fermentation-based method, as a more sustainable alternative for seaweed preservation.  

Currently, seaweed is often preserved by freezing or drying, which are energy-intensive processes.  

VITO's ensilage research offers a promising solution to tackle seaweed preservation. "Seaweed harvests are concentrated within a limited period, resulting in large quantities needing rapid and cost-effective preservation," explains Winnie Dejonghe, senior researcher at VITO. "Ensilage offers a promising solution by using beneficial bacteria to ensure seaweed preservation."

In ensilage, specific food-safe bacteria are added to the seaweed. These bacteria convert sugars into acids, lowering the pH and inhibiting the growth of harmful microorganisms that cause spoilage. VITO has optimised the ensilage process by determining the ideal conditions, including the type and concentration of these food-safe bacteria, duration, temperature, and the necessity of pre-treatment like seaweed cutting. 
 

About QualiSea 

QualiSea is a project focused on enhancing and controlling the quality of cultivated seaweeds for large-scale production and a sustainable supply chain to food and feed markets. The project is funded by the ERA-NET COFUND on the Blue Bioeconomy and by Flanders Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VLAIO).