By Lynda Myer
In order to providing track and catenary system for Fehmarnbelt tunnel electric trains, this contract with almost EUR 200m or DKK 1.5bn value is going to put in tender by Femern A/S in future spring. Extensive market research was recently carried out to ensure that the tender reflects the latest knowhow in the area.
Locating between Denmark and Germany, the future Fehmarnbelt tunnel that is world’s longest immersed tunnel, will be equipped with a state-of-the art railway and an energy efficient catenary system.
The intended Tunnel Track and Catenary (TTC) contract will include a 25 km two-track railway to run trains at 200 km/hr and a catenary system of which 18 km will be located in the tunnel itself and with a total of 7 km outside the tunnel, on the Danish and German sides.
Also additional information will be available by Femern A/S, to enable companies to form appropriate consortia and participate in the tender.
According to Kirsten Christensen, Contract Director, Femern A/S, with responsibility for railway installations: “There has been great interest from potential bidders in having more details ahead of the tender in the spring. We want, of course, to assist companies in putting consortia together and to tender for the contract. Our main aim is to attract some great and well-qualified competition in the tender phase.”
The expected date for release of the tender itself is spring of 2023, while the winner of the TTC contract is due to be announced in the spring of 2025.
In order to ensure the best possible tender, Femern A/S carried out extensive market research earlier this year whereby the industry was consulted to obtain input on the latest climate-friendly and energy-efficient solutions.
“We gave potential bidders the chance to put their knowhow on the table, which went down well with a number of major players in the market. It also gave us valuable insight which we’re currently processing to ensure that the tender will be as strong as possible and that we’ll get a climate-friendly and energy-efficient railway when we open,” says Kirsten Christensen.
Following completion of the tunnel electrified railway in 2029, the rail freight and passengers to Europe will face a green shortcut for the transport, which is slated to reduce the rail journey through the tunnel to 7 minutes, avoiding a 160 km detour.
The further and new information about the tender has been published here.
