[Job Story] Liebherr Equipment Powers Work on the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel

More than 20 Liebherr tower cranes are currently in operation on the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel, one of the largest infrastructure projects in Northern Europe. Stretching approximately 18 kilometres beneath the Baltic Sea, the tunnel will connect Rødby, on the Danish island of Lolland, with Puttgarden, on the German island of Fehmarn. Once completed, it will be […] [Job Story] Liebherr Equipment Powers Work on the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel published on The HeavyQuip Magazine.

Sep 16, 2025 - 11:55

[Job Story] Liebherr Equipment Powers Work on the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel

More than 20 Liebherr tower cranes are currently in operation on the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel, one of the largest infrastructure projects in Northern Europe.

Stretching approximately 18 kilometres beneath the Baltic Sea, the tunnel will connect Rødby, on the Danish island of Lolland, with Puttgarden, on the German island of Fehmarn. Once completed, it will be the world’s longest immersed tunnel and will significantly reduce travel time by replacing the current one-hour ferry crossing, while also boosting transport capacity between the two countries.

Liebherr tower cranes on rails supporting tunnel construction. Picture by Femern A/S.

The project, approved in 2007, forms a central component of the Scandinavian-Mediterranean corridor within the European core transport network. In addition to a two-track electrified railway, the tunnel will include four motorway lanes, significantly reducing travel time between Hamburg and Copenhagen.

Construction comes with a set of demanding conditions: heavy lifting, strict timelines, challenging coastal weather, and a schedule spanning several years. To meet these requirements, the project relies on Liebherr’s crane technology.

Many of the cranes on site are rail-mounted, allowing them to move efficiently across the extensive production and assembly areas without the need for dismantling or repositioning. High-capacity models like the Liebherr 380 EC-B 16 and 630 EC-H 40 are central to handling the 79 standard tunnel elements, each measuring 217 metres and weighing around 73,000 tonnes, over a 1.5-kilometre construction zone.

Built for long-term deployment in tough environments, Liebherr cranes are engineered for stability and consistent performance. Their robust slewing systems and rail-mounted design have proven effective, even in challenging conditions.

[Job Story] Liebherr Equipment Powers Work on the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel published on The HeavyQuip Magazine.