Investments in Longyearbyen harbor
The local administration in Longyearbyen on Svalbard has approved to spend 3,3 million NOK on improvements of the harbor.
The plans include purchase of a new mooring boat, expansion of the existing tourist quay and installation of a system for water delivery to large vessels.
- The number of freight vessels and cruise liners to Svalbard is increasing, and we lack capacity to handle this situation in a satisfying way, Harbor Master Kjetil Bråten says.
The harbor earns most from handling larger vessels, so it is vital that the harbor has the necessary equipment for this. A cruise liner bunkering water and spending 4-6 hours at the quay, can give a profit of 100 000 NOK.
These improvements are designed for short-period adaptations to the market, but the only durable solution will be a permanent expansion of the harbor area, Bråtens says.
