Femern Link Contractors (FLC) is currently building the Fehmarnbelt link, the world's longest immersed tunnel to connect Denmark and Germany starting in 2029. The 18-kilometer construction is an important part of the future European transport network and will contribute significantly to the green transition of the transport sector. At the same time, once completed, the tunnel will provide a substantial reduction in travel time between the two countries. Vanderkamp - The Dutch Water Engineers from Zwolle is providing, among other things, the mechanical part of the ballast and leaking water system on behalf of FLC.
The very extensive work started in 2020 involves the realization of Denmark's largest infrastructure project. When completed, the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel will connect Rødbyhavn in Denmark with the island of Fehmarn in Germany. The connection will have a two-lane highway in both directions and two electrified rail lines, allowing fast travel between Denmark and Germany. An advantage that will fully benefit commuters, businesses and the tourism industry alike. Cars can cross the immersed tunnel in 10 minutes, trains will take only 7 minutes.
In addition to the construction of the immersed tunnel itself, the project also includes onshore activities on both the Danish and German sides. FLC is responsible for the design and construction of the immersed tunnel, portals and ramps at both ends of the tunnel in Rødbyhavn and Puttgarden. In addition, it is building facilities in a 500,000 m2 work harbor and a special tunnel factory for the supply and prefabrication of the required tunnel elements, which will require, among other things, 360,000 tons of reinforcement, 3.2 million m3 of concrete and 2 million m3 of sand. FLC is also providing the accommodation facilities, also known as the "Tunnel Village" in Rødbyhavn, which provides housing for FLC employees.
Vanderkamp is making a substantial contribution to the project, including supplying the mechanical part of the ballast and leakage water system. Here the specialist's extensive expertise in temporary pumping solutions in the areas of surface water, drinking water, wastewater, industrial water and firefighting comes in handy. So says Wouter Potappel, closely involved in the project on behalf of Vanderkamp as branch manager. "After we received the request for delivery of both systems in November 2022, we came to the conclusion that we had to enter into an engineering agreement with FLC to come to a good and functional design. From May 2023 to October 2023, we worked with that as one cohesive team with FLC, FLC's contract partners and our subcontractors. In the end, we received the call for tender to supply the mechanical part of both systems."
While the ballast system serves to allow water in and out during the sinking of some of the total 79 tunnel elements, the drip water system ensures that water can be pumped out of those same elements in the event of any leaks. "They are two separate systems, deployed per tunnel element," Wouter explains. "When one element is sunk, the systems are reused for the next." Vanderkamp has the task of providing both systems with the right equipment that closely matches the required functionality as well as capacity. Each tunnel element will use four ballast pumps (2x low pressure, 2x high pressure), ten leakage water pumps, 500 meters of HDPE piping (diameter 110 mm to 315 mm), about one hundred valves and about fifty measuring sensors (flow meters DN100/DN300, level sensors and pressure sensors). Components that in due course will be transported piece by piece from Zwolle to Denmark. It doesn't stop there, however, as it turns out. "We have also been asked to assist during the installation of the systems. Furthermore, we are contributing to the engineering of a dozen special tunnel elements that will serve as technical rooms," says Wouter, who, on behalf of Vanderkamp, expresses his pride at participating in the prestigious project. "It is one of the largest assignments we have had the pleasure of receiving in our 30-year existence. But we have all the expertise and techniques on board to also bring this job to a successful conclusion together with our client and project partners."
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