The past few days have been very special for FLC. The first 217-metre tunnel element has been successfully immersed and installed in the tunnel trench, and is now connected to the Danish Portal – a significant milestone in the construction of the Fehmarnbelt fixed link between Denmark and Germany.
Our Immersion Pontoons IVY 1 and IVY 2, carrying the tunnel element, were carefully demoored and towed out of the work harbour. The pontoons navigated 1.7 km before making their way to the shallow tunnel trench towards the Danish Portal. Controlled by a high-precision alignment system, the element made touchdown on the gravel foundation and, using the forces of nature, created a permanent watertight connection between the tunnel sections.
To ensure the stability of the newly immersed element against possible wave impact, locking fill was placed immediately alongside the element following installation.
This huge achievement belongs to everyone involved, and we are incredibly proud of our team.
In total, 89 tunnel elements are to be placed across the Fehmarnbelt as part of the Fehmarnbelt Project between Denmark and Germany.
