Norway is building the world's first tunnel for ships

The Norwegian government has given the go-ahead for the construction of the world's first tunnel for ships, which will allow safe passage for vessels navigating the exposed Stadhavet Sea.

The prospect of a tunnel through the mountains of the Stad peninsula, on Norway's western tip, has been hotly debated for decades, though the first construction plan was revealed in 2013. 

The government has now allocated around €265 million for the tunnel's construction, based on a plan put forward by the Norwegian Coastal Administration. Since then, it has been through cost reduction and quality assurance processes.

The Stad tunnel will be 1.7km long, 37 metres high and 26.5 metres wide, which is large enough for coastal steamer-sized ships to safely navigate. It is estimated that some three million³ tonnes of rock will be removed during the construction process.

Also read: Norway now Europe's largest energy exporter, overtaking France

Temporary project manager Terje Andreassen, of the Norwegian Coastal Association, which is overseeing the tunnel's construction, said that the process of finding a contractor for the tunnel has begun, with construction expected to have begun by 2022 and completed within four years of breaking ground.

"Based on the allocation letter, we will now start the processes of acquiring properties in the area where the ship tunnel will be located, as well as put in place a project organisation, prepare a tender basis and initiate a tender," said Andreassen.

"There is much work to be done, but we have carried out extensive studies and planning that will form the basis for the work."

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