The railway connection across the Fehmarn Belt is facing a potential delay of several years, possibly pushing the opening of the rail line to the end of 2032 or later. This is based on a document from the German railway authority, Eisenbahn-Bundesamt, according to regional media reports.

The German authority indicates that Deutsche Bahn, the German equivalent of DSB (Danish State Railways), will require six and a half years to construct the 2.2-kilometer tunnel connecting the train tracks between the German island of Fehmarn and the German mainland. The construction of the tunnel is still pending approval, raising concerns about the project’s timeline.

Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen acknowledges the new information, stating that his ministry has reached out to the German transport ministry for clarification. He emphasizes that the potential delay will not affect car traffic, as the bridge over the Fehmarn Sound in Germany will remain usable.

Femern A/S has declined to comment on the statement from the German railway authority. However, Sund & Bælt, responsible for the Danish side of the construction, is aware of the reports and expects the German government to inform the Danish government if the schedule for the German land facilities changes.

Concerns about potential delays have been circulating for some time. Last year, reports indicated that the railway connection might not open until four to five years later than the original 2029 target. Sund & Bælt’s annual report for 2024 also suggested that the 2029 opening date was significantly challenged.

The Fehmarn Belt link is an 18-kilometer-long underwater tunnel designed to connect Rødbyhavn on Lolland with Fehmarn in Germany.