Fehmarnbelt Tunnel Progress: Halving Travel Time Between Hamburg and Copenhagen
Hamburg, August 30 – The Fehmarnbelt Tunnel, an ambitious 18-kilometer underwater connection between Germany and Denmark, is steadily progressing, promising to significantly reduce travel time between Hamburg and Copenhagen. Once completed, the journey between the two major cities is expected to be halved, fostering closer economic and cultural ties.
Construction work has been underway for several years on both the Danish and German sides. On the Danish side, three of the total 89 colossal tunnel elements have already been submerged. Each element measures 217 meters in length, 42 meters in width, and weighs 73,000 tons, showcasing the immense scale of the project.
The German side of the project involves extensive additional infrastructure development. This includes the construction of 88 kilometers of new and upgraded railway lines, a replacement tunnel beneath the Fehmarnsund, and the expansion of the A1 motorway. These complementary projects are crucial for integrating the tunnel into the existing transport network and maximizing its benefits.
The Hafenkonzert podcast recently accompanied a delegation from Hamburg’s Department of Economics to the construction sites on Fehmarn and to Copenhagen. The delegation engaged with key stakeholders involved in the project, including:
- Melanie Leonhard, Hamburg’s Senator for Economy, who discussed the opportunities for Hamburg, the growing integration with Copenhagen, and the efficiency of Danish planning.
- Ute Plambeck, Group Representative for Northern Germany at Deutsche Bahn, who provided insights into the 88 kilometers of new and upgraded railway lines, the new alliance model for acceleration, and the planning challenges faced in Germany.
- Grit Scholz, Project Manager, who elaborated on the 170-million-euro renovation of the Fehmarnsund Bridge and the reasons behind constructing a submerged tunnel as a replacement structure.
- Lars Friis Cornett, Germany Director of the Danish construction company Femern A/S, who updated on the construction status in Puttgarden, the delayed submersion pontoons, and the revised timeline.
- Stefan Wallmann from the engineering firm Rambøll, who explained the decision to opt for a tunnel instead of a bridge and highlighted the cultural differences in Danish and German construction approaches.
- Andreas Wenzel from the German-Danish Chamber of Commerce in Copenhagen, who noted that Scandinavian exports now surpass those to China and provided a realistic timeline for the tunnel’s completion: 2032 for cars and mid-2030s for trains.
- Michael Otremba, Head of Hamburg Tourismus, who shared projections of 144,000 Danish overnight stays in Hamburg by 2025, the potential for tourism from Sweden, and the newly accessible economic area of 4.5 million people.
The construction of the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel is a complex undertaking with significant implications for regional connectivity and economic development. While the project has faced some delays, with a revised completion target of 2032 for cars and mid-2030s for trains, the long-term benefits are expected to be substantial. Hamburg is actively preparing for the increased flow of traffic and tourism, recognizing the tunnel’s potential to strengthen its position as a gateway to Scandinavia.
The Fehmarnbelt Tunnel is not only a marvel of engineering but also a symbol of closer cooperation between Germany and Denmark, paving the way for enhanced trade, tourism, and cultural exchange across the Baltic Sea region.
