The present outer port areas were constructed during the 1960s and 1970s and since then there has been a substantial growth in volumes. Existing terminals are well utilised. A completely new terminal will be constructed at Arendal to cope with future freight volumes.
Construction, which is divided into several stages, is planned to run between 2016 and 2025. In 2016 and until March 2017, a pilot project was carried out to test the technology of stabilization and solidification of contaminated mud masses.
From September 2018 to September 2019 is the first stage of construction, which includes embankment to close Arendalsviken, blasting works and pilework.
During winter 2020/2021 the first maintenance dredging work begins to fill the first construction with stabilized mud masses.
The terminal will be fully operational 2024, although certain parts can come into use before then. The area is 220,000 square metres in size and has a maximum water depth of 10 metres.
All the new berths will be equipped to provide a shoreside power supply to minimise emissions from vessels while they are at the quayside.
The new terminal will be equipped to handle both ro-ro vessels and container vessels and will be used mainly for European traffic. It is estimated that around 200,000 ro-ro and container units will be handled each year.
The terminal will also be linked to the rail system.
