DNV has provided independent verification of the advanced lifting appliance used to install tunnel elements on the Fehmarn Belt project, supporting Femern Link Contractors in the construction of the world’s longest immersed tunnel.
The 18-kilometre road and rail tunnel connecting Denmark and Germany saw its first 217-metre tunnel element successfully immersed in May 2026, marking a significant operational milestone in the project.
Immersed tunnel construction relies on joining large pre-made concrete sections that are floated to the installation site and lowered into a prepared seabed trench, a process dependent on a highly specialised lifting system capable of positioning massive elements with high precision in offshore conditions.
DNV’s verification work spanned the design, fabrication and commissioning phases of the lifting appliance installed on the immersion pontoons IVY 1 and IVY 2, encompassing assessment of technical compliance and safety performance prior to operation and culminating in full certification of the hoisting system.
Marte Riiber de Picciotto, Service Area Manager for Energy Systems at DNV, described the project as a unique application of large-scale lifting technology in a dynamic offshore environment, with DNV’s role centred on providing independent assurance that the lifting system met defined safety and performance requirements before deployment for tunnel installation.
The verification process involved close collaboration between DNV and FLC teams to manage the technical complexity of the project, with DNV’s contribution including technical reviews, on-site inspections and certification activities conducted in parallel with ongoing construction and commissioning.
Prajeev Rasiah, Senior Vice President and Regional Director for Northern Europe Energy Systems at DNV, noted that the engagement builds on the company’s long-standing experience in testing, inspection and certification of complex lifting appliances and marine operations, supporting safety, quality and reliability across major infrastructure projects.
