Norway is set to build the world’s first full-scale ship tunnel, with six international contractors competing for the construction contract.
The Stad Ship Tunnel, a 1.7-kilometre-long passage through the Stad Peninsula, will provide vessels with a safe route past the treacherous Stadhavet Sea, an area known for its dangerous currents and rough weather.
The Norwegian Coastal Administration (Kystverket) announced the competition for the design-build contract in November 2023, with a deadline of January 31, 2024, for interested contractors to submit their applications.
The project is expected to cost approximately $400 million and take around five years to complete.A total of six bidders-two Norwegian, two Chinese, one French and one Spanish-Norwegian have expressed interest in the project.
The names are listed below:
The Norwegian Coastal Administration stated that having multiple strong contenders ensures a competitive selection process.
The Stad ship tunnel will connect Moldefjord and Kjodepollen in Vanylvsfjord, cutting through the narrowest part of the Stad Peninsula. It will measure 50 meters in height, and 36 meters in width, accommodating large vessels like Hurtigruten and Kystruten.
The main objective of the project is to enhance maritime safety, as the Stadhavet Sea is one of Norway’s most dangerous waters.
Over the past 80 years, 33 people have lost their lives in maritime accidents in the region. The unpredictable currents, strong winds, and frequent storms have made navigation difficult.
One of the biggest engineering challenges will be constructing the tunnel openings, which will be as tall as the tunnel itself- seven times the height of a standard road tunnel.
The pre-qualification process will ensure bidders have the necessary expertise to handle such a demanding project.
The Norwegian Coastal Administration is currently reviewing the prequalification documents submitted by the six contractors. Their evaluation will focus on technical expertise, professional qualifications, and experience in similar large-scale tunnelling projects.
According to Stad ship tunnel project manager Harald Inge Johnsen, the number of bidders advancing to the next round is yet to be decided.
The administration had initially planned to shortlist three to five contractors from the prequalification stage, but final selections will be made after a thorough assessment.
The evaluation is expected to conclude by March 2025. Shortlisted bidders will then be invited to submit their final offers, which will undergo multiple reviews and negotiations.
If everything proceeds as scheduled, the contract will be awarded in autumn 2025, and construction will commence in early 2026.
Once completed, the Stad Ship tunnel will be a historic first in maritime engineering, offering safer and more efficient navigation for vessels travelling along Norway’s coast.
Source: Marine Insight, Afloat Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
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