By lyndamyer
In order to advancing construction of the Stad Ship Tunnel, the Norwegian Coastal Administration (NCA) has selected Cowi as the technical adviser.
Improving and helping the project in engineering work and consulting in all necessary technical disciplines, Cowi is due to complement the NCA’s own project team, whereas NCA places an emphasis on geotechnics, geology, structures, technical installations, corrosion, sustainability/environment, and health, safety, and environment.
Also Sintef and Longvas Oppmåling are the subcontractors of Cowi’s team.
According to NCA project manager Terje Skjeppestad: “Cowi would be an important technical partner in procuring and constructing the world’s first ship tunnel. With Cowi on board, we have secured a skilled partner who will assist us with the ship tunnel. Our new technical adviser will be with us until the tunnel is fully constructed, through both preparatory work and in the tendering, design, construction, and completion phases.”
While the construction process is slated to be carried out by a main contractor through a turnkey contract, the determined date for tender will be this year, and construction possibly commencing in 2025.
As Cowi’s project leader, Espen Viddal, stated, the company had experience and expertise in tunnel operation and rock caverns which would align with the Stad Ship Tunnel project.
With 1.7km length, 37m height and 26.5m width, the Stad Ship Tunnel will link to fjords to allow passenger and cargo ships to more safely navigate the Stadhavet Sea, that regarded as the most exposed and dangerous section of the Norwegian coastline.
The planned method for tunnel excavation is drill and blast, removing 5.4 million m3 of stone.
