Imenco’s Role in Safeguarding Norway’s Viking Heritage
As the world’s two best-preserved Viking ships – Oseberg and Gokstad – were carefully relocated to the new Museum of the Viking Age, Imenco has been one of the key industrial partners behind the scenes. The company’s engineers, fabricators, and installation specialists have worked side by side with Statsbygg, the Museum of Cultural History (KHM), and several other contributors to make one of Norway’s most complex and delicate relocation projects a success.
From offshore experience to national heritage
Project Manager Henri Bratbakk joined Imenco in 2021 after two decades in the on- and offshore industry. Initially hired as a Technical Writer, he became Project Manager for the Viking project in 2022.
“This project quickly became more than a job – it became a lifestyle,” he says. “We are working with national treasures that carry a thousand years of history. The responsibility is enormous, and it’s something you feel every single day.”
Bratbakk has managed the project for Imenco, covering the entire chain – from engineering and fabrication to testing and installation. The company designed and built massive, highly precise steel frameworks to protect and move the fragile ships during the museum’s construction phase. At its peak, the project has involved 40–70 Imenco employees across three sites:
- Grinde (engineering and project management)
- Voll (engineering, fabrication and assembly)
- Bygdøy (testing and installation at the museum)
Precision and patience
The biggest technical challenge, according to Bratbakk, was managing the enormous steel structures in close proximity to fragile archaeological artifacts – all with millimeter precision.
“The project required extreme accuracy and patience. Progress could feel slow, but we always knew that every careful step was essential for safety.”
Working within the constraints of an old museum building also brought complexity. “The structure had its limitations, so we had to adapt constantly. It was not just engineering – it was problem-solving in real time.”
Collaboration across disciplines and cultures
For Bratbakk, one of the most rewarding aspects has been the collaboration itself.
“Working closely with Statsbygg, KHM, DiFK, and BSA has been incredibly inspiring. It’s rare to see archaeologists, conservators, and industrial engineers working this closely together toward a shared goal.”
He also highlights the cultural learning along the way:
“There are differences between the offshore world of Western Norway and a public building project in Oslo, but we’ve built a partnership based on mutual respect and that’s been key to our success.”
And as the project moves toward completion, Bratbakk looks forward to seeing the museum being opened:
“As the Oseberg and Gokstad ships now rest safely in their new climate-controlled home, Imenco’s part of the work continues toward the final installations, expected to be completed in 2026. The new Viking Age Museum will stand as one of Europe’s finest – a world-class showcase of Norway’s cultural heritage, and a powerful example of how technology and craftsmanship can protect history for generations to come.”
All photos in gallery below are from the Museum of the Viking Age.
