The Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link is one of Europe’s most ambitious and transformative infrastructure projects. Once completed, the 18km immersed tunnel will connect Rødbyhavn in Denmark with Puttgarden in Germany, establishing a permanent road and rail link beneath the Fehmarn Belt waterway.
Designed to accommodate a four-lane motorway and a double-track electrified railway, the tunnel is composed of 89 massive precast concrete elements, each 217m long and weighing 73,000t. A dedicated fabrication site, also claimed to be the world’s largest, has been established at Rødbyhavn. These elements are submerged and then assembled in a seabed trench, requiring “millimetre” precision.
The tunnel will carry a four-lane motorway and a double-track electrified railway, capable of supporting trains travelling at speeds of up to 200 km/h (125 mph). Completion of the FFL is scheduled for 2029. The link will be the longest of its kind in the world. The project promises far-reaching economic, logistical, and environmental benefits for Denmark, Germany, and the wider European economy.
Eliminate bottlenecks
Currently, freight transport between Scandinavia and central Europe relies heavily on ferry crossings or circuitous overland routes. The new fixed link will eliminate a ferry-dependent bottleneck, cutting rail freight journey times by up to two hours and road travel times by around one hour. This time savings will greatly improve the reliability and predictability of logistics operations, particularly for just-in-time delivery models that depend on punctuality.
The link will provide a direct, electrified, and high-capacity rail corridor that aligns with the EU’s goal of shifting freight transport from road to rail. By offering a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative, the Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link is expected to double the freight volume capacity on this key north–south corridor.
Beyond the immediate logistics improvements, the Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link will strengthen economic ties. It could be reasonably expected to facilitate labour mobility, stimulate investment in infrastructure, tourism, and services, to an even greater extent than the East Bridge and the Oresund Bridge.
At a continental level, the Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link is a vital component of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), specifically the Scandinavian–Mediterranean Corridor. The scope of the FFL is commensurate with the multi-billion euro, multi-modal TEN-T project. It’s important enough to already feature on maps of the network, on a route that runs all the way from Narvik to Palermo. This strategic importance reaches far beyond connecting key economic hubs from Sweden and Denmark through Germany to Italy and beyond. The new tunnel will act as a cornerstone of this TEN-T corridor, improving freight movement and economic cohesion across Europe. Enhanced links to major ports such as Hamburg and Copenhagen/Malmö will also strengthen supply chains and support Europe’s position in international trade.
The Fehmarn Fixed Link (FFL) will not be the first connection between Germany and Denmark, but it will significantly boost capacity and convenience. Unlike the east-west East Bridge, which has rail freight limitations, the FFL’s north-south route offers major international trade potential.
Enabling works concerns
Road traffic is expected by 2029, but full rail freight may be delayed up to five years, depending on the completion of Germany’s Fehmarn Sundtunnel. This will replace a constrained bridge and is crucial to the FFL’s success. However, delays in German rail infrastructure projects have raised concerns about timely delivery and the FFL’s full operational potential.
As a faster route, largely immune to weather delays, the FFL will attract freight hauliers. There will be reduced and eliminated truck traffic through ferry ports. Once rail operations begin, short sea shipping may decline, shifting freight to rail. Smaller ports like Puttgarden and Rødby may lose relevance, while major hubs (Hamburg, Lübeck, Copenhagen and Malmö) stand to gain from improved connectivity and efficiency.
Importantly, the Fehmarnbelt project aligns with Europe’s green transition. By encouraging a modal shift to rail, reducing reliance on ferries, and easing road congestion, the link will help lower CO₂ emissions from the transport sector. This supports EU climate objectives while offering long-term cost savings for freight operators and contributing to a more sustainable logistics network.
*This article first appeared in the June print issue of WorldCargo News