Overview
The Norwegian government submitted a white paper on transportation (National Transport Plan 2018-2029) on 5 April 2017. One of its propositions is planning of the Stad Ship Tunnel. It will be the first ship tunnel of this size in the world, and makes one of the most challenging and hazardous shipping lanes in Norwegian waters safer for sea transport.
A combination of sea currents and subsea topography create particularly complex and unpredictable navigational conditions in the area. Very high waves coming from different directions at the same time can create critical situations, and challenging conditions mean reduced speed and predictability for shipping through the very exposed Stadhavet Sea.
Stad Ship Tunnel is an important project on the western coast of Norway, which will provide greater predictability and safety for transport by sea. It will create opportunities for establishing new ferry and shipping routes, and transfer of freight from land to sea transport, says Minister of Transport Ketil Solvik-Olsen.
THE PROJECT
NCA will deliver a pilot project to the Ministry of Transport and Communications in the spring of 2017. Further, the project will undergo an external quality assurance process (KS2) before the project is presented to the Parliament, who then formally decides on project funding.
Quality assurance has been carried out (KS1 report), which was commissioned by the Ministry of Fisheries and the Ministry of Finance for KPU 2010.
- Stad Ship Tunnel is part of the Norwegian National Transport Plan (NTP), with a limit equal to the costs – estimated at NOK 2.7 billion. NOK 1.5 billion is part of the NTP that runs from 2018 to 2023.
CONSTRUCTION
- Conventional blasting is envisaged using underground drilling rigs and pallet rigs.
- Work on alternative solutions, including the establishment of a new commercial area, is taking place locally.
- If the project is realized, the Stad Ship Tunnel would be the world's first full-scale ship tunnel of this size.
KEY FIGURES
- Length: 1700 metres.
- Height between ground and ceiling: 50 metres.
- Width between tunnel walls: 36 metres.
- Hight from sea surface to ceiling: 33 metres
- Cross-sectional area: 1661 m2.
- Volume of solid rock to be removed: Approx. 3 million m3. Equivalent to approximately 8 million tonnes of blasted rock.