Fish tankers for the transport of fish, aquaculture & industry

We supply customised tankers for the transport of e.g. pelagic fish, smolt, slaughtered fish, fish waste, live fish (and shellfish) in all sizes, fish cuttings, fish silage etc.

As our fish tankers are made of stainless steel, they are durable, hygienic and easy to clean. The fish tankers are insulated, and oxygen supply and monitoring can be selected. With oxygen equipment and monitoring of fish. It is possible to get an integrated cleaning system (CIP) that complies with current food safety standards.

All our tanks for fish transport are food approved and certified by the food authority. In addition, all product-related weldings and surfaces are inspected and approved by an external company.

Customised solutions for each individual fish tanker

All our fish tanks are customised and always developed in close collaboration with the customer. This means that we tailor each tank with the exact features and solutions that you need – from oxygen supply and water circulation to specially customised inlet systems. This ensures that each transport solution matches your specific needs and provides optimal handling of your fish.

Transport of live fish

When transporting live fish, typically species such as salmon, trout or eel, the goal is to keep the fish alive and in good condition until delivery. VM Tarm A/S tank trailers and containers are made of stainless steel or glass reinforced plastic (GRP) and are divided into several sections so that different batches can be kept separate.

Each section is equipped with:

oxygen supply
water circulation
temperature control

To avoid stress and injuries, soft inlet and outlet systems are used, and water quality is continuously monitored via sensors for oxygen, CO₂, and temperature. Transport often takes place in close cooperation with breeding and receiving facilities, where quick and gentle handling is essential.

Talk to our specialists

Transport of smolt

Smolt – young fish that are moved from freshwater farming to saltwater facilities, are particularly sensitive and require precise control of environmental conditions. The transport typically takes place in insulated stainless steel tank trailers, where the water is maintained at approximately 8–10 °C.

Oxygen supply and water movement prevent the smolt from aggregating in corners and becoming stressed.

The tanks are cleaned and disinfected between each transport to prevent the spread of infections, which is mandatory.

Transport of slaughtered fish

Slaughtered fish is transported under completely different conditions, where the goal is to ensure the product's freshness until processing or export. Stainless steel VM Tarm tank trailers and containers are typically used for chilled transport, where the fish is stored in brine (RSW – refrigerated seawater) or cooled freshwater.

Benefits:

temperature control 0–2 °C
easy cleaning and resistance to corrosion
meets the EU's strict hygiene requirements

This ensures that the quality and texture of the fish are preserved.

Hygiene, safety and environmental considerations

All types of fish transport require thorough cleaning, disinfection and documentation. We have extensive know-how from tanker transport of milk and beer, and stainless steel tanks withstand both high temperatures and strong cleaning agents.

Drivers and operators must be trained in:

handling live animals
relevant fish welfare legislation

There is also increasing focus on environmental considerations, where new trailers and containers are designed with energy-saving pumps, the possibility of oxygen recycling and efficient cooling systems to reduce CO₂ emissions.

Overall Assessment

Transport of fish in stainless steel tank trailers and containers is a specialised area where technology, biology and logistics meet. Properly executed transport ensures: