At almost 20 kilometers long, the Fehmarnbelt Link will connect Denmark and Germany directly through the strait of the same name. The tunnel will connect both countries through an innovative project that will mark a milestone in global engineering and improve European mobility.
With an investment of €7.4 billion, this ambitious project will transform cross-border travel by drastically reducing travel times, as well as boosting trade and cooperation in the Baltic Sea region. Beyond its economic impact, this tunnel is as an example of how major infrastructure projects can promote sustainability and improve accessibility on the continent.
Technical characteristics and construction
The design of Fehmarnbelt Link is inspired by the experience gained from the Øresund link, which has connected Denmark and Sweden since the year 2000. The new connection will have train and car lanes, making it the longest combined tunnel in the world.
For its construction, 79 prefabricated concrete elements will be used, each measuring 217 meters in length and weighing 73,500 tons. Additionally, 10 special elements equipped with advanced technology will be included to facilitate maintenance and enhance operations.
The preparation of prefabricated elements has already begun under controlled conditions to guarantee quality and uniformity. Once completed, waterproof partitions are placed at the ends, and the elements are transported to the installation site, where they are submerged precisely into the seabed. An innovative system ensures completely sealed connections, thanks to the external pressure exerted when pumping water between the partitions.
The 10 special elements stand out, as their size and complexity make them key pieces of the project. Each is 39 meters long and 13 meters tall, equivalent to the height of a four-story building. They are installed over three stages:
- Manufacture of the basement
- Preparation of walls
- And, finally, the upper part.
The production process of the first special element has extended over more than a year and has provided valuable experiences that are being applied in the construction of the subsequent elements. At the same time, in another five production lines, the first five standard elements have been completed and several more are underway.
Innovation and sustainability
The tunnel incorporates cutting-edge technologies to minimize its environmental impact and contribute to the transition to more sustainable transportation. One of its key innovations is the participation in a concrete pouring test designed to reduce its carbon footprint. Within this framework, Futurecem is undergoing testing. This type of cement reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 30 percent by replacing part of its traditional content with treated clay and lime. This initiative seeks to combine sustainability with high durability, establishing a precedent for future infrastructure projects.
The initiative not only minimizes emissions during construction but will also have a positive long-term impact on transport. It will reduce travel times between Denmark and Germany to only seven minutes by train and ten minutes by car, saving approximately one hour compared to ferry crossing. At the same time, it will encourage the change of freight transport from roads to electric trains, significantly contributing to European climate objectives.
Safety and design
Safety has been a priority since the beginning. The corridor will feature emergency lanes, evacuation exits, and advanced surveillance systems operated 24/7 from the Tunnel’s Local Control Center (LCC) in Denmark and the Railway Traffic Control Center (TCC) in Copenhagen.
Thanks to the use of fire-resistant materials and advanced ventilation systems, a constant supply of fresh air will be guaranteed both mechanically and naturally. In addition, evacuation routes to safe areas have been designed, optimizing the response to incidents and ensuring the safety of users in emergency situations.
Economic and social benefits
In addition to transforming mobility between Scandinavia and Central Europe, the Fehmarnbelt will boost the regional economy. During its construction, it will generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs and offer learning and training opportunities in various technical areas.
From a financial perspective, the tunnel will be primarily funded through the revenues generated by its use, following a model similar to other successful projects like the Storebælt and Øresund links. It is also supported by the European Commission as part of the Connecting Europe Facility, reaffirming its strategic importance within the TEN-T transport network.
Environmental impact and compensatory measures
The project has a comprehensive approach to minimizing its environmental impact. Although construction entails unavoidable alterations in the environment, wide-ranging compensatory measures have been put in place. These include the creation of new natural areas that double the size of those affected and the restoration of marine reefs to promote biodiversity.
Over time, it will contribute to reduce CO₂ emissions by means of shorter transport routes, reducing more than 150 kilometers of travel. The diversion of freight from roads to electric railroads will be a valuable boost to European climate objectives.
Relevance and future
The Fehmarnbelt Tunnel will be an essential component of the north-south transport corridor of the TEN-T network, linking Finland with Malta and eliminating a major bottleneck between Scandinavia and Central Europe. This project will facilitate the integration of the European internal market and promote the use of rail transport, contributing to more sustainable mobility.
With its enormous scale and avant-garde vision, its construction marks a milestone in civil engineering. Expected to be completed by 2029, it will serve as a model for future infrastructure initiatives, combining technology, sustainability, and socioeconomic benefits.
