Locks in Trollhätte canal
To ensure the future of shipping on lake Vänern, the Swedish Transport Administration in collaboration with the Swedish Maritime Administration are building new navigational locks in in Lilla Edet, Trollhättan and Vänersborg.
The current locks are over a hundred years old and their function cannot be kept up for much longer by regular maintenance and therefore they need to be replaced. By 2030 the locks are considered to have reached their technical life expectancy.
New locks are needed
- to ensure the shipping transportation needed by the industry
- to create conditions for a future shift of transportation from roads to shipping
- to enable larger vessels to traffic the canal in the future
New locks are also beneficial for the local and boat tourism industry and are a prerequisite for a continued development of the traffic on, to and from lake Vänern.
Timeline
- 2020–2023 Location study
- 2021–2027 Scoping consultation
- 2023–2028 Detailed development plan process
- 2024–2029 Environmental permitting process
- 2027 Start of construction
- 2032–2034 New locks become operational
For suppliers and contractors
| Label | Project title | Form of contract | Procurement | Start of construction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E11 | Ny sluss och farled Trollhätte kanal Lilla Edet |
Design and build ECI* |
Publication of contract notice 2025-03-10 |
Preliminary 2027 Q2 |
| E12 | Rivningsentreprenad 11 fastigheter Trollhätte kanal Lilla Edet |
Design and build |
Contract awarded based on a framework agreement |
Ongoing |
| E21 | Nya slussar (inkl. Västergärdetbron E22) Trollhätte kanal Trollhättan |
Design and build ECI* |
The invitation to submit applications will be re-advertised in Q4 2026 | Preliminary 2028 Q2 |
| E31 | Ny sluss och farled Trollhätte kanal Vänersborg |
Not decided | Not decided | Preliminary 2029 Q2 |
*ECI = Early contractor involvment
Register for the supplier dialogue on Vänersborg in October
We are now inviting suppliers to take part in a dialogue regarding the procurement of E31 – New lock, Trollhätte canal, Vänersborg.
The dialogue will take place between 12 and 23 October.
The purpose of the dialogue is to provide information about the planned contract form and procurement schedule for the new lock in Vänersborg, and to gather feedback from the market.
To book a time slot, go to the project's Swedish website, select three preferred times in the form and enter your email address. You will then receive an email confirming the time slot allocated to you.
Contract descriptions
Here you can read the contract descriptions for E21 and E31. Further down the page, you will also find a link to the Swedish Transport Administration’s procurement schedule.
Trollhättan
New locks with a lifting height of 32 meters in Trollhättan, Sweden
The existing locks in Trollhättan are in poor condition and will be replaced by three new locks at a new location. The new locks are being designed to accommodate vessels measuring up to 110 x 16.5 meters. Construction is taking place while traffic continues in the existing fairway.
In collaboration with the Swedish Maritime Administration, the Swedish Transport Administration plans to procure a contractor for the construction of the new locks in Trollhättan. The project involves risks that may impact time, cost, and the functionality of the final facility. The project's goal is to allocate risks to the party best suited to manage them, which is the main reason for selecting the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) contract model. The contractor will contribute to the design process through value engineering and measures to enhance constructability.
The ECI contract is divided into an initial investigation and design phase (2027–2028), during which a target price for completing the facility will be developed in collaboration with the contractor. Phase two is optional and dependent on agreement of the target price. It will be executed as a design-and-build contract (2028–2032). A design basis has already been prepared and will be developed into a technical specification in phase two, where construction documents will be produced and the actual construction will take place.
The procurement will be conducted in two stages. All contractors are welcome to participate in an initial prequalification round. Up to five suppliers will then be invited to submit tenders based on the provided request for proposals. Project planning documents for the new lock facility—describing the overall scope of the finished facility—will be shared as part of the tender documentation.
Construction and operation of the new facility will require several permits. An application under the Environmental Code is being prepared, along with other necessary permits for both construction and future operation. A legally binding environmental permit is required before any work in phase two can begin. Additional permits may also be required and could be the responsibility of the contractor.
The project is located in central Trollhättan, close to both residential and commercial areas. Among several challenges, the planning of large-scale concrete castings, the extraction of significant rock volumes in a short period, and the transport of materials from the site stand out. All work will take place alongside ongoing traffic on nearby streets, as well as pedestrian, cycling, and water routes. Robust and flexible production planning, along with continuous collaboration with stakeholders, is seen as essential.
In Sweden, no new locks have been built at a new location for over a century. This project in Trollhättan represents a unique opportunity for societal development, ensuring and advancing waterborne traffic between Lake Vänern and the North Sea for the long term.
Vänersborg
New lock at Brinkebergskulle, Vänersborg, Sweden
The existing lock at Brinkebergskulle is in poor condition and will be replaced by a new lock adjacent to the existing one. The new lock will be designed to accommodate vessels up to 110 x 16.5 metres and will have the same geometric design as the planned lock in Lilla Edet. The lift height is approximately 5 metres. Construction will take place while traffic continues along the existing fairway.
In cooperation with the Swedish Maritime Administration, the Swedish Transport Administration plans to procure a contractor for the construction of the new lock in Vänersborg. The project involves risks that may affect time, cost and the functionality of the completed facility. The objective is for each risk to be managed by the party best placed to manage it.
The construction and operation of the new facility require several permits. An application under the Swedish Environmental Code is currently being prepared, together with other permits required for both construction and future operation. A legally binding environmental permit is required before construction work can begin. Additional permits may also be required and may become the responsibility of the contractor.
The project is located in the south-eastern part of Vänersborg, near the former Restad hospital site. The area is relatively sparsely populated, but a number of residential and holiday homes, as well as businesses, are located within the area of influence. Tourism and recreational activities will also be affected.
Among the various challenges, the planning of large concrete pours, excavation of loose soil and the transport of excavated material from the construction site are expected to be particularly demanding. The work will be carried out while traffic continues along the fairway. Robust and flexible production planning, together with continuous stakeholder coordination, is considered essential.
No new lock has been built at a new location in Sweden for more than a hundred years. The new lock project at Brinkebergskulle represents a unique opportunity for societal development by safeguarding and developing shipping between Lake Vänern and the North Sea in the long term.
The town Lilla Edet gets Sweden's first triangular lock
Lilla Edet, home to Sweden's oldest lock, will also have Sweden's first triangular lock.