Vardø fishing port - outer pier

The Norwegian Coastal Administration (NCA) is a government agency under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries. The agency is responsible for ensuring safe and efficient maritime traffic along the Norwegian coast and into ports, and for maintaining the national preparedness and response system for acute pollution incidents. The NCA is responsible for the safety and navigability of Norway’s coastal waters. Its responsibilities include navigation infrastructure, state-owned fishing harbour facilities, fairway development measures, pilotage services, and vessel traffic services (VTS). The NCA is also responsible for Norway’s national emergency preparedness and response to acute pollution incidents. In addition, the NCA participates in planning processes and exercises regulatory authority under the Ports and Fairways Act, parts of the Pollution Control Act, the Svalbard Environmental Protection Act, and the Planning and Building Act. The agency also contributes to the preparation of the National Transport Plan, which is presented every four years and covers all four transport sectors: road, rail, air, and maritime transport. The NCA is organised into four business areas: Ports, Fairways and Coastal Transport Navigation Technology and Maritime Services Emergency Response to Acute Pollution Pilotage Services Vardø Fishing Harbour is the largest fishing harbour in the Municipality of Vardø and an important base for the fishing fleet operating in Eastern Finnmark. The harbour is exposed to significant wave action from the northwest through northeast sectors, resulting in challenging berthing conditions, an increased risk of damage to vessels and infrastructure, and limitations on the efficient use of the harbour facilities. The project comprises the construction of a new outer breakwater north of the entrance to Vardø Harbour, together with dredging and deepening works at Hasselneset to maintain adequate navigational access after the harbour entrance is narrowed by the new breakwater. The breakwater will have a total length of approximately 660 metres and will be constructed in water depths of up to 35 metres. The deepening works at Hasselneset include both dredging of unconsolidated seabed sediments and underwater rock blasting, with a total excavation volume of approximately 45,000 m³. Material excavated during the deepening works will be reused in the breakwater construction where feasible. A substantial portion of the works will be carried out from the sea using a temporary offshore construction platform. All imported rock material for the breakwater construction will be transported by sea. The project therefore relies heavily on marine-based logistics, specialised marine equipment, and execution under demanding weather and wave conditions. The project is subject to extensive environmental requirements and numerous regulatory permits, including those relating to marine construction activities, dredging, underwater blasting, environmental monitoring, and plastic waste management. In addition, seasonal restrictions apply to certain construction activities. The primary objective of the project is to improve shelter and operational safety within Vardø Fishing Harbour, facilitate efficient and reliable harbour operations, and support the continued development of fisheries and other maritime industries in the region.