A tender conference for the Stad ship tunnel attracted more than 60 contractors and suppliers.
The Norwegian Coastal Administration’s (NCA) event on December 17 was attended by nearly 130 people, with companies including major Norwegian and Nordic tunnel builders, such as Skanska, AF Gruppen, Hæhre, LNS, Veidekke, and Implenia Norway, contractors from Spain, France, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic, and three contractors from China. The Chinese companies rank among the largest contractors in the world.
The conference also included subcontractors specialising in concrete production, fender solutions, construction, civil engineering, and electrical systems.
“We are very pleased with the turnout,” said Harald Inge Johnsen, the NCA’s project manager for the tunnel. “This is a landmark project unlike anything else globally, and it seems many contractors want to be a part of it.”
He added that early engagement with main contractors was key.
“In this phase, it is essential for us to engage with large contractors who can take on primary responsibility for the project, either independently or in collaboration with others. At the same time, the conference serves as a valuable platform for subcontractors to pitch their products and services to the major firms,” said Johnsen.
At the conference, the NCA (Kystverket) provided an overview of the project before outlining competition terms, qualification requirements, and technical specifications detailing what the main contractor will build.
The tender conference followed the tender announcement of the design-build contract at the beginning of December. Companies must register their interest to participate by January 31.
“This is the next critical milestone for the project. January 31 is a firm deadline that the contractors must meet,” said Johnsen.
Several questions and comments emerged during the tender conference. These will be compiled and addressed in a summary to be posted in the NCA’s procurement tool, Mercell.
“All interested suppliers must register in this tool, as all further communication regarding the tender, including questions, answers, and any potential changes, will take place there,” said Johnsen.
The Stad ship tunnel, the world’s first full-scale ship tunnel, will be built by a main contractor through a turnkey contract.
The tunnel will improve the navigability and safety of maritime transport around Stad, one of the most weather-exposed and dangerous stretches along the Norwegian coast.
The ship 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. It will allow vessels up to the size of the Coastal Route/Hurtigruten to safely navigate past Stadlandet.
