DRILL & BLAST | TECHNICAL


In future, the full-size ships are to sail through the


mountainous peninsula - passing along a large tunnel, from one fjord to the other. The ships can bypass the headland and the potentially difficult waters. They will sail, slowly, through a vast, cathedral-like


tunnel, entering at one portal and progressing onward, to emerge from the other. One ship at a time, through the 1.7km-long tunnel. The solution to the shipping problem calls for design


and construction of what is, in effect, a colossal cavern open to the air at both ends. In shipping, and tunnelling, it is a highly uncommon type of project. Also, it is a major challenge in drill & blast works. The owner-developer is the NCA, which has been


progressing plans for the project for some years. But it is not a tunnel builder, with such experience inhouse for managing the creation of such a major piece of infrastructure. Last year, therefore, a strategic move was made to bring onboard the well-proven and long- established skills in tunnel building and management of another national agency - the roads authority. Statens Vegvesen has numerous tunnel projects of its


own under development and construction, but has been able to support this unusual endeavour to build the Stad Ship Tunnel. When signing the collaboration , NCA director-


general Einar Vik Arset, said in a statement: “The NCA is considered a one-time constructor when it comes to such a large project as the Stad Ship Tunnel, so it is not ideal to build a large internal project organisation; that is why we have initiated a collaboration with the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. This will give the NCA access to expertise and capacity from an experienced project management organisation, thereby strengthening our own project organisation.” Among the resources NCA would see brought in to


work on the Stad Ship Tunnel have been project and construction management, geology, tunnel operations, health and safety, and workplace regulations, to prepare the project organisation for construction. Statens Vegvesen’s division director, Kjell Inge Davik,


at the collaboration signing, described the ship tunnel as “a spectacular and incredibly exciting project,” and noted there was major interest from everywhere, including the construction industry. He added: “We have broad expertise in large


infrastructure and tunnel projects, which will benefit the ship tunnel, both in the upcoming tender and contract phase, and potentially in the construction phase.” The agreement primarily governs the procurement


phase and leading up to contract signing. But the collaboration may be extended to cover the construction phase. Recently, it was announced that three prequalified


Above: Coastal and roads authorities are collaborating to bring the latter’s tunnel project and engineering experience to the project. Agreement signing with Kystverket’s lead, Einar Vik Arset (right), and Statens Vegvesen’s divisional director, Kjell Inge Davik (left)


bidders had submitted first offers in the procurement process. They are: a joint venture of Skanska Norge AS and Vassbakk & Stol AS (Norway); AF Gruppen Norge AS (Norway); and, Eiffage Génie Civil (France). NCA hopes to sign the contract in autumn this year and for construction to start in 2026.


August 2025 | 11


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