Norway has allocated funding in its budget to begin preparatory work on the Stad Ship Tunnel — the world’s first full-scale tunnel designed specifically for maritime vessels.

The project involves building a tunnel through the Stad Peninsula measuring approximately 1.7 km in length, 50 m in height, and 36 m in width. Its purpose is to provide ships with a safer route around Stadhavet, one of the most difficult and hazardous stretches of Norway’s coastline.

The significance of the project goes far beyond conventional port infrastructure. In effect, it will create a protected maritime corridor through solid rock, reducing shipping’s dependence on storm conditions, improving the regularity of coastal services, and lowering risks for passenger, cargo, and service vessels.

The project had previously been questioned due to rising costs, but after redesigning, the budget was reduced. The new state budget includes initial funding for preparatory works, and construction could begin as early as 2027, provided government support continues.