The Undersea Tunnel Network That Could Transform Shetland’s Fortunes
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-heading.
Shetland wants to ditch ageing ferries and replace them with undersea tunnels connecting five islands including Unst, the most northerly of the British Isles.
These three paragraphs add some more detail.
The plans sound grand but they have also been greeted with some scepticism.
Can the Shetland Isles really pull off such an ambitious plan, given the UK’s struggles to deliver big projects such as high speed rail?
Yes, says the prime minister of the tiny Faroe Islands, which are 200 miles further out into the Atlantic.
The Faroe Islands Tunnel Network
I asked Google AI to describe the Faroe Island tunnel network and received this answer.
The Faroe Islands tunnel network is a massive feat of engineering connecting the 18-island archipelago.
It features over twenty land tunnels and four ultramodern subsea tunnels.
The system replaces unpredictable ferries, drastically reduces travel times, and even features the world’s first subsea roundabout.
The subsea tunnel network links major islands and regions:
Eysturoyartunnilin (Eysturoy Tunnel): A major project stretching over 11 km that connects the capital, Tórshavn, to the towns of Runavík and Strendur.
It is famous for the world’s first underwater roundabout—dubbed the “jellyfish”—which sits 72 meters below the seabed and is illuminated by stunning blue light effects and sculptures by local artist Tróndur Patursson. Travel times between Tórshavn and Runavík plummeted from over an hour to just 16 minutes.
Sandoyartunnilin (Sandoy Tunnel): Spanning roughly 11 km, this subsea tunnel connects the island of Sandoy to Streymoy.
It reaches depths up to 150 meters below sea level and integrates a relatively isolated community into the mainland, turning an hours-long ferry journey into a brief 30-minute commute.
Norðoyatunnilin (Northern Islands Tunnel): A 6.3 km subsea connection linking the island of Eysturoy with Borðoy (home to Klaksvík, the second-largest city in the Faroes).
Vágatunnilin (Vágar Tunnel): The first subsea tunnel constructed (opening in 2002), spanning 4.9 km and connecting the main island of Streymoy to Vágar, where the Faroe Islands’ international airport is located.
How the Network Works
Design & Specs: All four subsea tunnels are spacious, two-laned, single-tube designs.
The speed limit throughout the tunnels is fixed at 80 km/h.
Safety & Depth: The tunnels can reach depths of up to 187 meters below the Atlantic Ocean. Despite this, the maximum road gradient never exceeds 5%, ensuring safety for all vehicles.
Toll System: All subsea tunnels require a toll fee. Drivers can either pay per single trip or purchase a Tunnel Pass that covers driving through any subsea connection over a specific timeframe.
How Were The Faroe Tunnels Funded?
I asked Google AI to say how the Faroe Tunnels were funded and received this answer.
The Faroe Islands’ extensive subsea tunnel network is primarily funded through public-private financial partnerships utilizing international bank loans, pension fund investments, and government guarantees.
These multi-million-pound infrastructure projects pay for themselves entirely over time through user tolls.
The mechanics of this self-financing model operate as follows:
Public Companies & Bonds: The government establishes dedicated, publicly-owned companies (such as P/F Eystur- og Sandoyartunlar) that build, own, and manage the infrastructure. These companies take out large loans from international financial institutions—including UK and US pension funds—and issue bonds to private investors.
Toll Revenue Repayment: The loans and bonds are secured against future toll revenues, which are collected from motorists using the tunnels.
Government Guarantees: The Faroese government provides financial backing, essentially guaranteeing minimum traffic usage to reassure institutional investors.
Cross-Subsidization: To ensure all islands benefit, highly-trafficked tunnels (like the Eysturoy tunnel) subsidize the costs of less-trafficked tunnels (like the Sandoy tunnel).
Inside The Faroe Tunnels
This article on the BBC is entitled Faroe Islands: Inside The Undersea Tunnel Network.
It is worth a look.
The Anonymous Widower 