Project Partners

SPRICE is carried out by a multi-disciplinary research team consisting of researchers and participants with different scientific background and expertise from various research and non-research organisations. The Project Owner is Department Technology and Safety at University of Tromsø – The Arctic University of Norway (UiT), and the Project Partners include SINTEF Nord, The Norwegian Meteorological Institute (MET), The Norwegian Coastal Administration (NCA), Hermes AS, and Gratanglaks AS.



Department Technology and Safety - UiT

The studies and research in the Department Technology and Safety (ITS), at the Faculty of Science and Technology, are aimed towards operational and technological challenges in the High North. The main focus of department’s research is on development of technology and preparedness together with elucidation of risk exposure at operational procedures in the High North. 



SINTEF Nord AS

SINTEF Nord AS, established in May 2008, is SINTEF’s extended arm in Troms and Finnmark county for the provision of research, development and innovation services to industry, business and public administration in Nordland, Troms and Finnmark, and Svalbard. SINTEF Nord AS is owned by SINTEF Ocean AS and is headquartered in Tromsø, and aims to work actively in the region in close dialogue with customers and at the same time draw on the expertise from other SINTEF institutes and departments. SINTEF Nord AS, with a vision of “Technology for a better society”, builds up local expertise and capacity in fisheries and aquaculture, ICT, maritime operations and minerals. The goal is to contribute to local value creation in the north based on resources at sea and on land.



The Norwegian Meteorological Institute

The Norwegian Meteorological Institute (MET) which was established in 1866, is a state agency that is subordinate to the Ministry of Climate and Environment. The institute has its three main branches in Tromsø, Bergen, and Oslo in Norway and is responsible for the public meteorological services for both the civil and military purposes. MET conducts comprehensive research and deliver climate data. By collecting enormous weather data and by processing and analysis of such data, MET develops and delivers a wide range of services to the society. Given the increasing significance of the High North in the current geopolitical situation, MET contributes to several research projects focusing on the High North and the Arctic. It helps safeguard the national interests in the area by providing weather forecasts and warnings for private individuals, emergency planning authorities and government agencies that contributes to safety of the society.



The Norwegian Coastal Administration

The Norwegian Coastal Administration (NCA) with about 1000 employees is a national agency under the Ministry of Transport and Communications. The NCA’s vision is to make the Norwegian coast and sea areas the safest and cleanest in the world. The agency aims to ensure safe and efficient passage in fairways along the coast and into ports, and to ensure that national emergency preparedness measures against acute pollution are in place. This aim is achieved by focusing on four main areas of activities for

  • transport, ports and fairways – Manage, build and operate the physical infrastructure, including analyses and knowledge about the sector
  • navigation technology and maritime services – Manage, develop and operate the digital infrastructure. Monitor/control traffic and manage the pilotage service.
  • environmental preparedness – Prevent and limit the harmful effects of acute pollution.
  • the pilotage service – Ensure the safety of maritime traffic and protect the environment by putting pilots on board vessels and providing the crew with the necessary knowledge of waterways.

The Norwegian Coastal Administration's OV Bøkfrjord Multifunctional oil spill response vessel during an emergency preparedness exercise on Svalbard waters - Foto: The Norwegian Coastal Administration

Hermes AS

Hermes AS, as a young, forward-looking, and modern fishing boat owner has a sound basis of experience relying on its 43 full-time staff, of which 38 employees work two 18-man shifts on board. Hermes AS aims to run a safe and quality-assured fishery and focuses on top quality and safety, as regards products, employees, jobs and the vessel. In this project, Hermes AS contributes to data collection by involving its fishing vessel and provides other project work packages with feedback and inputs, and expert opinions.

M/Tr Hermes trawler Foto: Hermes AS

Gratanglaks AS

Gratanglaks AS is a fishwas established in 1984 in Gratangen municipality in Northern Norway. It is mainly located in Astafjorden and Vågsfjorden, with headquarters in Gratangen. The company’s vision is to produce in a sustainable way that ensures good fish welfare while also creating local and regional impacts trough employment, growth and new projects. In this respect, Gratanglaks contestably works on development and improvement, and thus as a partner in this project, it contributes to creating knowledge and building competence in relation to operation in cold climate regions by facilitating data collection and providing the project partners with expert feedback, inputs, and expert opinions.

Gratanglaks fish farm - Foto: Gratanglas AS