The Port of Gothenburg has awarded a contract to Boskalis Sweden AB for blasting and dredging works under the Skandia Gateway project, a major infrastructure programme aimed at expanding capacity for larger vessels. The contract is valued at approximately SEK 202 million ($22 million). The works will deepen the fairway into the port from the current 13.5 metres to a maximum of 17.5 metres, enabling larger and deeper-draught vessels to call at Scandinavia's largest port.
Boskalis Sweden AB was selected following a competitive tender involving five bidders. Jan Andersson, Project Manager for Skandia Gateway at the Port of Gothenburg, said: "This is a highly competent contractor with solid experience in projects of a similar nature." Since spring 2024, the port has already completed quay reinforcement works at its container terminal, forming a prerequisite for the upcoming dredging and blasting phase.
The Skandia Gateway project targets the capacity of the Port of Gothenburg, which handles half of Sweden's economy, to host Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCV) calling directly from Asia to Northern Europe. Boskalis' experience from previous large-scale dredging projects in Northern European waters proved decisive in the technically challenging tender, particularly given the need for drill-and-blast operations on the seabed rock layer.
Key Takeaways:
1. Port of Gothenburg awarded Boskalis a $22 million dredging contract for Skandia Gateway.
2. The works will deepen the fairway from 13.5 metres to 17.5 metres.
3. Boskalis was selected after a competitive tender involving five bidders.
4. Project Manager Jan Andersson called Boskalis a 'highly competent contractor.'
5. Quay reinforcement works completed in 2024 are a prerequisite for the dredging phase.
