Stad Ship Tunnel
In April 2017, plans were given the go-ahead for the Stad Ship Tunnel in Norway; the first of its kind in the world. The project is part of the Norwegian National Transport Plan 2018-2029, smoothing the way for the Norwegian Coastal Administration (NCA) to begin development work.
The Stad sea is the most exposed and dangerous part of the coast of Norway. Particularly complex and unpredictable navigational conditions are created by the combination of currents and subsea topography. This causes very high multi-directional waves, which can continue for several days after heavy wind has abated.
It is anticipated that the tunnel will reduce the risk of accidents, strengthening the region’s industrial and commercial activities, and making the voyage safer for passengers and freight.
Studies conducted in 2000/01 and 2007/08 analysed a range of cross-sections and routes for the tunnel. The final design crosses the narrowest point of the Stad Peninsula, with waters that are sufficiently shielded to allow shipping to use the tunnel.
The tunnel will be 1.7 km long, 37 m high and 26.5 m wide. The tunnel’s upper part will be run as per conventional road tunnel. Once that is complete, construction will progress downwards, layer by layer, in a process known as pallet blasting. Thresholds will be placed at both ends of the tunnel to enable dry tunnel operations.
In total, approximately 3 million cubic metres of rock will be removed by vehicles and large barges. There is a plan to establish a new landmass and expand existing areas of neighbouring municipalities with some of the removed material.
The estimated cost of the project is NOK 2.7 billion. There are optimistic predictions that the tunnel could be complete and open for shipping by early-2023. However, the project must first undergo a process of quality assurance and detailed cost estimates before being presented to the Norwegian parliament to approve funding. With parliamentary approval, construction work could begin in 2019.
Images and content courtesy Norwegian Coastal Administration.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Do you take the lead in a circular construction economy?
Help us develop and expand this wiki as a resource for academia and industry alike.
Warm Homes Plan Workforce Taskforce
Risks of undermining UK’s energy transition due to lack of electrotechnical industry representation, says ECA.
Cost Optimal Domestic Electrification CODE
Modelling retrofits only on costs that directly impact the consumer: upfront cost of equipment, energy costs and maintenance costs.
The Warm Homes Plan details released
What's new and what is not, with industry reactions.
Could AI and VR cause an increase the value of heritage?
The Orange book: 2026 Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018
ECA welcomes IET and BSI content sign off.
How neural technologies could transform the design future
Enhancing legacy parametric engines, offering novel ways to explore solutions and generate geometry.
Key AI related terms to be aware of
With explanations from the UK government and other bodies.
From QS to further education teacher
Applying real world skills with the next generation.
A guide on how children can use LEGO to mirror real engineering processes.
Data infrastructure for next-generation materials science
Research Data Express to automate data processing and create AI-ready datasets for materials research.
Wired for the Future with ECA; powering skills and progress
ECA South Wales Business Day 2025, a day to remember.
AI for the conservation professional
A level of sophistication previously reserved for science fiction.
Biomass harvested in cycles of less than ten years.
An interview with the new CIAT President
Usman Yaqub BSc (Hons) PCIAT MFPWS.
Cost benefit model report of building safety regime in Wales
Proposed policy option costs for design and construction stage of the new building safety regime in Wales.
Do you receive our free biweekly newsletter?
If not you can sign up to receive it in your mailbox here.