Trelleborg supplying seals to “world’s longest immersed tunnel”

Trelleborg, Sweden – Trelleborg’s marine and infrastructure operation has been awarded the contract to supply tunnel seals for the Fehmarnbelt immersed tunnel connecting Germany and Denmark.

Once completed, the 18km long tunnel will connect Rødbyhavn in Denmark and Puttgarden in Germany, and will be the world’s longest immersed tunnel, Trelleborg announced 30 Sept.

The immersed tunnel will be constructed from 79 large tunnel elements, each 217 metres long, and 10 special elements, and will have a four-lane motorway and two electrified rail tracks. 

The link will enable motorists to travel from Rødbyhavn and Puttgarden in just 10 minutes and train passengers in as little as seven minutes.

Trelleborg will supply its Gina gaskets, Omega seals, Waterstop seals and clamping systems, to the project. 

Component supply will begin in 2022 and final deliveries are scheduled for end of 2026, according to Trelleborg.

Gina gaskets and Omega seals fit between the sectional elements of immersed tunnels to prevent water ingress due to external water pressure. 

The supplier said its sealing systems come with a product life promise of up to 120 years "with little-to-no maintenance."

The systems are specifically designed to handle intense transfer of hydrostatic loads and movements between tunnel ends caused by environmental pressures such as seismic activity, soil settlement and temperature effects.