Key Highlights

  • Ocean Sciences finalised a staged development plan covering regulatory approvals, construction and fit-out, operational commissioning and start of activities at the Takalar Centre.
  • The roughly 3.4 hectare site Lease has been extended to April 2031, with an option to seek a further five years or buy the site on terms to be agreed.
  • Construction is subject to approvals not yet received, and the release gives no budget, funding source or completion date.

Ocean Sciences Ltd (ASX:OSS), a commercial seaweed supply, Research and Development company, announced on 1 October 2026 that it has finalised the development plan for its Seaweed Innovation and Application Centre at Laikang Village, Takalar Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Site and lease

The plan follows the recently announced extension of the approximately 3.4 hectare site lease until April 2031, which the company says gives medium-term certainty to develop and operate the Centre. At the end of the extended term, the company may seek a further five-year extension or buy the site on terms to be agreed with the lessor, so neither outcome is assured.

Purpose and planned infrastructure

The Centre is intended to integrate cultivation, production and research at one site and progressively bring selected externally conducted research and development in-house. Planned infrastructure includes onshore seaweed cultivation tanks, existing in-ground aquaculture pools, seaweed production and processing facilities and a working laboratory.

Regulatory approvals

The first workstream covers approvals. Applications are planned for environmental approval, building approval, certification of proper function after construction, and aquaculture and fisheries Business approvals. The company says the precise approvals and timing will depend on the final design, scale and activities at the Centre.

Construction and commissioning

Subject to approvals, construction is intended to include site preparation and supporting infrastructure, installation of cultivation tanks, production, drying, processing and storage facilities, the laboratory, utilities and water management, and installation and testing of equipment. It will be staged to align spending with approvals and operating priorities.

Commissioning would then progressively cover the cultivation tanks, start of cultivation and production, the laboratory, operating, safety and environmental procedures, engagement of students and participants under a collaboration with the Maritime Institute of Technology and Business Balik Diwa Makassar, and transfer of selected outsourced research and development work. Ocean Sciences says it will update the market as material milestones are achieved, including key approvals and the start of operations.

Why the lease and site matter

The Centre is intended to integrate cultivation, production and research activities at one site, replacing a model in which some research is conducted externally. The lease extension to April 2031 gives a defined operating window, and the Options to extend or purchase afterwards remain at the company's election and subject to agreement with the lessor.

Education collaboration and updates

The company plans to engage students and other participants under its collaboration with the Maritime Institute of Technology and Business Balik Diwa Makassar. It says the plan provides a structured implementation framework with measurable construction, regulatory and operational milestones. The market updates it promises cover key approvals, the start and completion of principal construction stages, installation and commissioning of material equipment and the start of operations.