Stad ship tunnel

The Norwegian Coastal Administration will build the world’s very first full-scale tunnel for ships. Stad ship tunnel will be 1,7 kilometres long (2200 metres from the tip of the lead construction to the tip at the other side) , 50 metres high and 36 metres wide, giving vessels up to the size of the coastal lines Hurtigruten and Kystruten a safe passage through Stadhavet Sea. Construction starts in January 2027!

Recent news articles about the project

AF Gruppen is awarded the Contract to Build the Stad Ship Tunnel

The design-build contract for the Stad Ship Tunnel is valued at approximately NOK 5.6 billion, excluding VAT, and is scheduled to be signed in August. Construction is planned to begin in early 2027.

We Are Ready to Build the Stad Ship Tunnel

The Norwegian Coastal Administration is ready to sign a contract with a contractor and move forward with the Stad Ship Tunnel project.

Updated Cost Estimate for the Stad Ship Tunnel is Submitted

The Norwegian Coastal Administration has today submitted an updated decision and cost basis for the Stad Ship Tunnel to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries (NFD) in accordance with the Norwegian Parliament’s request. An important part of the assignment has been to optimize the project wi …

Government proposes to halt Stad Ship Tunnel

As part of the proposed national budget for 2026, the government has announced a halt to further work on the Stad Ship Tunnel. The Norwegian Coastal Administration has been instructed to put the project on hold until the government’s budget proposal has been considered by the Norwegian Parliament.

Three bids received for the ship tunnel

The procurement process for the construction of the Stad Ship Tunnel has moved a step forward with the receipt of the first bids from the contractors.

Countdown to Bid Submission

Three strong contractors are competing to build the Stad ship tunnel. The deadline for submitting the first bids is June 10th, and that is when the Norwegian Coastal Administration will get an initial indication of what the world’s first ship tunnel might actually cost.

Contractors gather at Stadlandet

The Norwegian Coastal Administration gathered the four contractor groups competing to construct the Stad ship tunnel for clarification meetings and site inspections at the tunnel areas.

Stad ship tunnel: Four contractors are prequalified

Six contractors applied for prequalification to construct the Stad ship tunnel. Now, four have been qualified to submit bids.

These contractors want to build the world's first ship tunnel

Six contractors are competing for the opportunity to construct the Stad ship tunnel. Among them are two Norwegian companies, one French, one Spanish-Norwegian, and two Chinese bidders.

Tender conference: Significant interest in the ship tunnel

One week before Christmas, the Norwegian Coastal Administration gathered nearly 130 participants from over 60 contractors and suppliers for a tender conference for the Stad ship tunnel. – This demonstrates great interest in contributing to the construction of the world's first ship tunnel, says Pr …

Older news articles

Here you will find older news articles regarding Stad ship tunnel published on www.kystverket.no.

The Stad Ship tunnel project

Here you will find high-resolution images, as well as video about and from the project

Stadhavet Sea is the most exposed and treacherous stretch of water along the Norwegian coast. The goal of the project is to ensure a safer passage through Stad.

KEY FIGURES

Length: 1700 metres for the tunnel run. Ca. 2200 metres from the tip of the lead construction to the tip at the other side.
Height from base to ceiling: 50 metres
Width between the walls of the tunnel: 36 metres
Height from sea surface to ceiling: 33 metres
Cross-sectional area: 1661 m²
Volume of rock to be removed: Approx. 3 million m³. Equal to approx. 5,4 million m³ of blasted rock – which is equal to approx. 750 000 lorry loads.
Approved project budget (June 2026): NOK 8.588 billion (including VAT).
Estimated construction time: Approx. 5 years

CONSTRUCTION

The Norwegian Coastal Administration has awarded the design-build contract to AF Gruppen, which will be responsible for both the detailed engineering and the construction of the Stad Ship Tunnel. The contract is valued at approximately NOK 5.6 billion, excluding VAT, and is scheduled to be signed in August 2026. Construction is planned to begin in early 2027.

FAQ - Stad ship tunnel

Do you have questions about Stad ship tunnel? We give answers here to some of the questions we are often asked. Click on the question to see the answer. Note! Some of this information needs to be updated!
Background and photos/illustrations

Do you need photos / illustrations? You can find more information here.
Contacts

Do you need to get in touch with someone about Stad ship tunnel? Here you will find the contact information for the project manager and the communications manager.
For Contractors

Information for potential contractors for the Stad ship tunnel

The movie depicts the history behind the Stad ship tunnel, from the Viking era to the present day. It explores the foundation of the world's first ship tunnel and examines the benefits and opportunities the tunnel will provide when it is completed.

Go to top