NORWAY —AF Gruppen has been awarded a turnkey contract valued at approximately NOK 5.6 billion, excluding VAT, to engineer and construct the Stad Ship Tunnel, according to official disclosures from the Norwegian Coastal Administration. The project will create a fully equipped maritime tunnel in Vestland county, enabling larger coastal vessels to navigate safely through the challenging waters surrounding Stadlandet. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2027 and is expected to take around five years to complete.
The 1,700-metre tunnel will feature a cross-section substantially larger than a conventional road tunnel and will accommodate vessels comparable in size to those operating on Norway's coastal passenger and cargo routes. AF Gruppen developed the project during the tender phase in collaboration with engineering consultancy Norconsult and the Norwegian Coastal Administration.
The investment is expected to improve navigational reliability, reduce weather-related disruptions, and enhance the resilience of Norway's coastal transport network. The project also supports the country's broader strategy of modernising maritime infrastructure while improving safety for commercial shipping and passenger services.
For construction firms, engineering consultants, shipping operators, and infrastructure investors, the contract represents a significant long-term opportunity within the Nordic transport sector. AF Gruppen is a Norway-based construction and industrial group operating across civil engineering, building, property, and energy projects, while the Norwegian Coastal Administration is the government agency responsible for managing maritime infrastructure and ensuring safe navigation along Norway's coastline.
