Japanese startup signs $190m UAE land-based aquaculture deal

Japanese land-based aquaculture startup ARK has signed a memorandum of understanding to supply recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) for a large-scale, state-linked seafood project in the United Arab Emirates, with expected equipment orders of around JPY 30 billion (about $190 million). The deal, announced in reporting by Masahiko Takeuchi on Feb. 24, 2026, follows an MoU signing ceremony held on Feb. 6 in Abu Dhabi that involved representatives of ARK, Global Engineering and SEATECH.

Direct quote

"The 2020-founded Japanese startup Ark will supply RAS equipment for a UAE state-linked aquaculture platform targeting 30,000t of domestic marine fish output by 2030," reported Masahiko Takeuchi for Undercurrent News.

Context and details

ARK, founded in 2020, will provide recirculating aquaculture systems — closed-loop technology that filters and reuses water to farm fish on land — to a UAE-integrated seafood platform that aims to boost domestic marine fish production to 30,000 tonnes by 2030. Undercurrent News’ coverage identifies the expected equipment orders at roughly JPY 30 billion, equivalent to about $190 million.

• Company: ARK (2020-founded Japanese land-based aquaculture startup)
• Partners present at MoU: Global Engineering and SEATECH
• Transaction: Memorandum of understanding to supply RAS equipment
• Estimated equipment value: JPY 30 billion (~$190 million)
• Target production: 30,000 tonnes of domestic marine fish by 2030
• MoU signing: Feb. 6, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The MoU, captured in a photo credited to ARK and published alongside the Undercurrent News report, positions ARK as a key technology supplier for the UAE project. The inclusion of Global Engineering and SEATECH at the signing suggests the project will combine equipment supply, engineering expertise and operational know-how, although the Undercurrent News piece does not disclose further contractual timelines or the identities of state-linked entities behind the platform.

Outlook

With the MoU in place and equipment orders estimated at JPY 30 billion, the next steps for the partners will likely include detailed engineering, procurement and construction plans tied to the UAE platform’s goal of reaching 30,000 tonnes of marine fish by 2030. For ARK, a 2020-founded startup, fulfillment of such a contract would represent a major expansion into the Gulf region and a sizeable commercial deployment of its RAS technology.

Undercurrent News’ report by Masahiko Takeuchi is the primary source for these details; further commercial agreements, delivery schedules and operating partners have not been disclosed in the published article. The MoU marks a formalisation of intent between ARK, Global Engineering and SEATECH and signals a clear focus on scaling land-based aquaculture capacity in the UAE ahead of the 2030 production target.