As the construction of the Fehmarn Tunnel progresses – also on Fehmarn – the German media are also increasingly taking notice of the project. Because even in Germany, large projects are good material. That is why the phone is ringing more and more often at Denise Juchem, who is the German press manager for Femern A/S:
– German journalists are very interested in the Fehmarn Belt project. Many inquiries come from the North German media, but also large national media such as “Welt am Sonntag”, “Bild” or “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” regularly report on the progress of the construction on the Danish and German side, says Denise Juchem.
Nature conservation and environment
So far, it has mainly been stories about nature protection and environmental considerations in connection with the construction that has filled the German columns. But now the media are also starting to notice business and other development opportunities generated by the huge infrastructure project:
– The work to ensure that all environmental and nature protection requirements are met at the German construction site has already been reported several times throughout Germany. In addition, the media are currently actively discussing the opportunities that arise for Northern Germany due to the construction of the Fehmarnbelt tunnel, says Denise Juchem.
Working port and tunnel portal
So far, the biggest milestone on the German side was the first sod on the construction site in Puttgarden about a year ago. But gradually, there will be more to look at – and write about:
– The construction of the working harbour near Puttgarden, scheduled to be commissioned in the first half of 2023, is progressing well. We will use it to bring a large part of the necessary construction material to the German construction site. It eases the roads on Fehmarn. The German tunnel portal is also clearly visible. About 1.2 kilometres of sheet pile walls have been put down to seal the excavation, and most of the water in this area has been pumped out, says the German press chief.
Stores 600,000 cubic meters of seabed
– As you know, a large part of the excavated seabed is sent to Lolland, but excavated material is also currently stored on German soil. More than 600,000 cubic meters of excavated soil from the tunnel trench is currently stored here, with around 100,000 cubic meters more to come. The soil storage is eight meters high. This material will later be used for dam construction at the German construction site, says Denise Juchen.
