Space Norway has signed a contract with Forsvarsbygg (the Norwegian Defence Estates Agency) for support in constructing a cable landing station on Jan Mayen. In addition, Forsvarsbygg will assist with the transport of personnel and equipment to the island, as well as with all excavation works. The landing station is a key element of the Arctic Way subsea fibre-optic connection from mainland Norway to Jan Mayen and Svalbard.
20 January 2026 – Forsvarsbygg is already in the process of constructing a new station for the Norwegian Armed Forces on Jan Mayen. Forsvarsbygg’s contractor, Hæhre Arctic, will support Space Norway with the cable landing station while they are present on the island.
“We see significant synergies in carrying out this work now, while Hæhre and Forsvarsbygg are on site. Without them, the project would have been far more expensive and difficult to implement. Our open dialogue and solution-oriented co-operation with Forsvarsbygg is crucial to making this possible,” says Pia Bruhn, Project Manager for Arctic Way at Space Norway.
Forsvarsbygg’s construction project is one of the most complex currently under way in Norway. Jan Mayen is located one thousand kilometres from the mainland and is exposed to extremely harsh weather conditions. Everything that is built there must withstand snowstorms, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. There is no harbour, quay infrastructure or proper roads.
“For Space Norway, it has been important to coordinate the landing of Arctic Way on Jan Mayen with Forsvarsbygg’s construction project. The island’s unique location presents major logistical challenges, and it is therefore very encouraging to see that the cooperation with Forsvarsbygg is working so well,” says Morten Tengs, CEO of Space Norway.
“We are proud of our project on Jan Mayen. It is important for Norway. We are pleased that we can support and collaborate with Space Norway,” says Acting Director of Forsvarsbygg, Camilla Mathiesen.
At present, there is no subsea fibre-optic connection to Jan Mayen, and communication with the island is via satellite. Space Norway has been commissioned by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries to establish a subsea fibre-optic connection from the mainland to Jan Mayen and Svalbard. From a branching unit in the Norwegian Sea, one spur will run to Jan Mayen and another to Svalbard. Space Norway is the main contractor and is managing the establishment project on behalf of the Norwegian State.
All contracting works must be completed before the subsea fibre-optic cable arrives for installation in the summer of 2027.
For further information about the project:
The Government intends to establish a new submarine fibre-optic connection to Svalbard and Jan Mayen, press release from the Government dated 14 February 2025: “Regjeringen vil etablere nytt sjøfibersamband til Svalbard og Jan Mayen” – regjeringen.no
Proposition 47 S (2024–2025) Amendments to the 2025 Central Government Budget under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Defence (new submarine fibre-optic connection to Svalbard and Jan Mayen).
Facts about the project:
The route forms part of Arctic Way, the world’s northernmost submarine fibre-optic network, which connects mainland Norway to Svalbard in order to secure critical digital connectivity to the Arctic regions.
- Route: Norway, Jan Mayen and Svalbard, with landing stations in Bodø, on Jan Mayen and in Longyearbyen, Svalbard
- Planned completion: 2028
- Total length: 2,350 km
- Location: Between 67°N and 78°N
