The Norwegian Coastal Administration has submitted an updated decision and cost basis for the Stad Ship Tunnel to the government.
The update was submitted to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries (NFD) last week, in accordance with a request from the Norwegian parliament.
The Norwegian Coastal Administration has worked with the three bidders – Skanska Norge and Vassbakk & Stol, AF Gruppen Norge, and Eiffage Génie Civil – to improve the project and reduce costs.
“The project organisation for the Stad Ship Tunnel has worked thoroughly,” said NFD director-general Einar Vik Arset. “Three contractors are competing for the assignment, and through dialogue with them, we have gained an updated picture of the cost level, which is lower than the initial estimate from last year.”
Project manager for the Stad Ship Tunnel, Harald Inge Johnsen, said there were several reasons why costs had been reduced since the first tender round.
“Firstly, we see that the competition is working. We have three committed bidders who are making every effort to secure the contract to build the world’s first ship tunnel. Secondly, we have made a number of changes to the requirements and execution. These include changes to the entrance structures, fender solutions, and more cost-effective solutions for the portal areas,” said Johnsen.
Provided the necessary financing is in place, the Norwegian Coastal Administration plans to award the contract to the most suitable bidder before the summer, and construction could start around the turn of the year 2026/2027.
In October last year, the Norwegian government put the project on hold while its national budget was considered, but around a week later parliament voted to continue negotiations with the three bidders.
