The Fehmarn factory near Rødbyhavn has repeatedly been suggested as a possible production site for future Danish warships once work on the tunnel elements has been completed.
Most recently, Naval Vessels Lürssen, NVL, which has been owned by German defence group Rheinmetall since March, has been mentioned in connection with the possibility of using the factory to build frigates.
However, speaking to FemernBusiness, the company played down expectations about how far the plans have progressed.
- There are currently no concrete plans to use Rødbyhavn, Oliver Grün, press officer at NVL, said earlier this week.
Last year, however, the wording was considerably more specific. Following a meeting with Sund & Bælt and COWI, NVL wrote that the parties had discussed the next steps towards establishing a new shipyard in Rødbyhavn.
Sund & Bælt, however, is continuing to keep the door open to defence production at the site, pointing to both the tunnel element factory and its associated construction harbour as facilities that could be given a new purpose once the Fehmarn project is completed.
- Reusing the tunnel element factory, and not least the associated construction harbour, offers significant economic, time-saving and environmental potential, Sund & Bælt told FemernBusiness.
According to the company, the factory could be used for other major infrastructure projects and for the production of concrete foundations for offshore wind turbines. Defence-related activities also remain among the possibilities.
- The deep-water basins could also be used for defence purposes, including shipbuilding and fitting-out.
The factory could also become available before the Fehmarn tunnel itself is completed. Sund & Bælt says the facility can be released once the final tunnel element has been cast, which is expected to be several years before the link is completed.
- We are in ongoing dialogue with potential operators of the factory, but no binding agreement has yet been signed.
