The Fehmarnbelt Tunnel is an ambitious mega-project that will connect Denmark and Germany under the Baltic Sea by 2029. Once completed, it will be the world’s longest immersed tunnel, surpassing existing projects like the Øresund Bridge and the Channel Tunnel between the UK and France.
1. Faster & More Efficient Travel
- The tunnel will replace ferry services that currently take 45 minutes to cross the Fehmarn Belt.
- Trains will be able to travel at 200 km/h (124 mph), reducing the Hamburg–Copenhagen journey time from 4.5 hours to just 2.5 hours.
- Cars will be able to pass through in just 10 minutes.
2. Strengthening European Trade & Economy
- The tunnel will enhance trade between Germany, Denmark, and the rest of Europe, as it provides a direct link between Scandinavia and Central Europe.
- It will support the European TEN-T (Trans-European Transport Network) strategy, improving freight transport efficiency.
3. Environmental Impact & Sustainability
- The tunnel eliminates CO₂ emissions from ferry operations, leading to a greener transportation alternative.
- Reduces congestion and fuel consumption by replacing ferry travel with direct road and rail links.
4. Advanced Engineering & Construction
- Unlike bored tunnels (such as the Channel Tunnel), the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel is an “immersed” tunnel, meaning pre-built concrete sections are sunk into the seabed and connected.
- 79 massive elements, each weighing 73,000 tons, will be placed on the seabed.
- Special dredging technology is being used to create a precise trench in the seabed before placing the tunnel elements.
Current Construction Progress (2024 Update)
- Construction started in 2020, with major excavation and element production underway.
- The Rødbyhavn tunnel factory in Denmark is producing the massive concrete tunnel sections.
- Underwater dredging is ongoing to create space for the tunnel placement.
- The first tunnel elements are expected to be installed in 2025.
Key Facts About the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel
- Length: 18 km (11 miles), making it the longest combined road and rail immersed tunnel in the world.
- Route: It will connect Rødbyhavn (Denmark) and Puttgarden (Germany) under the Baltic Sea.
- Purpose: It will significantly reduce travel time between the two countries.
- Train travel: Currently 4.5 hours → 2.5 hours (Hamburg to Copenhagen).
- Car travel: Now a 45-minute ferry ride → 10-minute drive through the tunnel.
- Construction Start: 2020, with expected completion by 2029.
- Cost: Estimated at €7.1 billion.
- Structure:
- 4-lane highway
- 2 electrified rail tracks
- Type: Immersed tunnel, meaning pre-built sections are lowered into the seabed, unlike a bored tunnel.
Impact on European Connectivity
- The Fehmarnbelt Tunnel will become a crucial link in the Scandinavian-Mediterranean Corridor.
- It will improve transport for businesses, commuters, and tourists traveling between Scandinavia and Central Europe.
- Boosts regional development, particularly in the Lolland-Falster region of Denmark and Schleswig-Holstein region of Germany.
The Fehmarnbelt Tunnel is a game-changer for transportation between Denmark and Germany. By 2029, it will revolutionize travel and trade, offering a fast, efficient, and sustainable alternative to ferries. As one of Europe’s most significant infrastructure projects, it will strengthen economic, environmental, and regional development for years to come.