The four contractor groups competing to construct the Stad Ship Tunnel have had clarification meetings and site inspections at the tunnel areas.
The site inspection was part of a two-day gathering, which included plenary presentations and one-on-one meetings with the four contractor groups.
Last month the Norwegian Coastal Administration (Kystverket) announced[https://www.tunnelsandtunnelling.com/news/kystverket-selects-four-contractors-to-bid-on-construction-of-stad-ship-tunnel/] the four bidders are:
- Joint venture: Skanska Norge AS and Vassbakk og Stol AS (Norway)
- AF Gruppen Norge AS (Norway)
- Eiffage Génie Civil (France)
- Joint venture: Acciona Construcción SA and Bertelsen & Garpestad AS (Spain/Norway)
NCA project manager Harald Inge Johnsen said the site inspection was to familiarise the contractors with the construction areas.
“It’s beneficial to have seen the landscape and future tunnel and industrial areas when planning the contract and submitting bids for the project,” he said.
Several bidders also conducted additional inspections to study the tunnel entrance areas more closely.
“We had the opportunity to present important aspects and possible changes in the tender documents, while the contractors could ask questions and receive clarifications. I believe it was a useful gathering for all parties, said Johnsen.
The gathering was the first round of clarification meetings between the NCA and the contractors. Three further meetings are planned.
The initial bids are to be submitted by June 3. The bids will be evaluated and negotiated, possibly in multiple rounds, before selecting the best offer based on the award criteria.
The contract is expected to be signed in autumn this year and construction will commence next year. The NCA estimates the construction period to be approximately five years.
The Stad Ship Tunnel aims to improve the navigability and safety of maritime transport around Stad, probably the most weather-exposed and dangerous stretch of sea along the Norwegian coast.
The tunnel will be constructed at the narrowest point of the Stad Peninsula, between the Moldefjord and Kjødepollen, in the Vanylvsfjord. It will be 1.7km long (2.2km including entrance areas), 50m high, and 36m wide.
