Mälaren Fairways

The Mälaren fairway project is complete. After many years of planning, permit processes and extensive work, one of Sweden’s largest fairway projects has now been completed. The result is greater capacity, improved safety and more sustainable transport – a historic step forward for shipping in the Mälaren region.

Background

In 2011, the Swedish Transport Administration concluded that the fairways needed to be modernised for Lake Mälaren to remain a competitive transport route, and the Swedish Maritime Administration was tasked with leading the Mälaren Project. The assignment included the reconstruction of both the lock and canal in Södertälje, as well as dredging and adapted navigational aids in the fairways leading to Västerås and Köping. In 2020, however, the project was divided into two parts: Södertälje Lock and Canal and the Mälaren Fairways. The Swedish Transport Administration assumed responsibility for Södertälje Lock and Canal, while the Mälaren Fairways Project continued under the Swedish Maritime Administration.

How we have strengthened the Mälaren fairways

The aim throughout has been to increase capacity, safety and accessibility in the fairways of Lake Mälaren. To achieve this, the project has, among other things:

Dredged the fairways to increase their depth and width, enabling longer, wider and deeper-draught vessels to call at Västerås and Köping. The volume of dredged material is approximately 1,000,000 cubic metres, equivalent to around 1.7 times the volume of the Avicii Arena (Globen).
Carried out an extensive upgrade of fixed and floating navigational aids and lighthouse technology to improve safety. There are now 19 cairns, 58 lighthouses, 43 spar buoys, 52 lighted spar buoys and 78 light buoys along the fairway.

Success through collaboration

A key factor in the project’s success has been the close dialogue with municipalities, county administrative boards and landowners. Transparency and clear communication have built trust and created the conditions needed to move the project forward. In a large and complex infrastructure project, dialogue with all parties concerned is essential. We have maintained close contact with municipalities, county administrative boards and landowners and placed great emphasis on being transparent and clear in our planning.

The Mälaren Fairways Project would like to extend its sincere thanks to everyone for their excellent cooperation.