The current status of the project is that the most significant land-use clarifications and regulatory work have been completed. The main elements of the tender documents have also been completed, and quality assurance is in progress before the actual construction project is put out to tender.
In need of more resources
– The NCA’s project organization has made a significant effort to bring the project to where it is today. However, in the next phase, the project needs to be strengthened, both as we enter the tendering and negotiation process and during the construction period, says Director General Einar Vik Arset.
Several new resources are being brought in, including project and construction management, geology, tunnel operations, health and safety, and workplace regulations, to prepare the project organization for the start of construction on the world's first ship tunnel.
– The Norwegian Coastal Administration is considered a one-time constructor when it comes to such a large project as the Stad ship tunnel, so it is not ideal to build a large internal project organization. That is why we have initiated a collaboration with the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. This will give the NCA access to expertise and capacity from an experienced project management organization, thereby strengthening our own project organization, says the Director General.
Utilizing the state’s resources
The NPRA has available capacity, extensive experience with large projects, especially in tunnel operations, and a whole organization with various professional disciplines that can contribute to the project.
– We gain access to skilled and dedicated personnel, while also having the NPRA's support organization behind us. It is positive that we can utilize the state's resources in this way, says Director General Arset, with support from the NPRA.
– We have available capacity, and it is great to share knowledge and personnel across the transportation sector. This time, we are assisting the NCA, but perhaps we will receive resources in return for future projects related to the NCA's areas of interest and expertise. This is good resource utilization, says NPRA's Division Director, Kjell Inge Davik.
He speaks highly of the project.
– The Stad ship tunnel is a spectacular and incredibly exciting project, and there is a lot of interest in it, especially from the construction industry. We have broad expertise in large infrastructure and tunnel projects, which will benefit the ship tunnel, both in the upcoming tender and contract phase, and potentially in the construction phase, says Davik.
Collaboration until the completion of the ship tunnel
The agreement signed today primarily governs the collaboration between the agencies during the tender phase and leading up to contract signing. Later, the agreement may be extended to cover the actual construction of the ship tunnel.
– It has been the plan for some time to strengthen the project organization before the tender and construction phase. We are now starting a collaboration that will last until the ship tunnel is completed. The new resources from the NPRA will be integrated into the NCA’s project organization under my leadership as the project owner. The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries is the client, and the Norwegian Coastal Administration owns the project, says the Director General.
Arset believes the NPRA's resources will complement the NCA’s own capacities.
– Together with the NCA's own project staff and the extensive expertise we have within the agency, this collaboration agreement will collectively ensure sufficient competence and capacity for the implementation of the project, says Arset.
What is next?
The Stad ship tunnel project is now in the final stages of completing documentation and tender materials before the announcement. Quality assurance is ongoing before the construction project can be put out to tender. The NPRA is now stepping in to assist with this quality assurance.
What does this mean for the tender announcement?
– The Norwegian Coastal Administration has done a good and thorough job with the tender documents. Now, we are getting some extra eyes on them before finalization, but this will not lead to any major changes. We will probably not be able to get the tender out by October as previously reported, but we aim to have it out in the market well before Christmas. At the same time, we are securing valuable expertise ahead of reviewing the offers and starting the negotiations early 2025, says Director General Einar Vik Arset.
