Challenges of the Fehmarnbelt Project

The 18 km immersed Fehmarnbelt Tunnel, linking Denmark and Germany, is facing delays due to issues with the specially designed immersion vessel IVY, which has yet to complete testing and regulatory approval. The tunnel is built from massive concrete elements, each 217 m long and 73,500 tons, assembled on the seabed at an average depth of 30 m twice that of the Øresund Tunnel, a key reference project.

The tunnel is managed by Femern A/S, a subsidiary of Sund & Bælt. Construction is carried out by the FLC (Femern Link Contractors) consortium, including VINCI, Per Aarsleff, Wayss & Freytag, Max Bögl, CFE, Solétanche-Bachy, BAM Infra, and BAM International. Marine works are handled by FBC (Fehmarn Belt Contractors), while FSC (Femern Systems Contractors) installs ventilation, lighting, and safety systems. Elecnor builds the Rødbyhavn substation, and engineering support comes from COWI, Ramboll, and Arup.

Additional challenges include noise and sediment regulations, deeper than expected trench sections, and the impact of older contracts signed in 2016, before Covid-19 and recent geopolitical events. The Danish rail link, 110 km of new double-track between Ringsted and Rødby, is progressing on schedule.

Completion in 2029 remains ambitious, but technical solutions are being implemented to meet project requirements for this world’s longest immersed tunnel.