Cooperation agreement for the Femern Belt Fixed Link

MT Højgaard, Züblin and HOCHTIEF Construction have entered into an agreement to jointly seek prequalification to bid for the fixed link across the Femern Belt.

In spite of the project realisation still being some years ahead, the companies have already started their preparation work, in order to be in the best possible position, once the project is put out for tender, either as a tunnel or as a bridge project.

The companies already have substantial experience in working together in different constellations.

MT Højgaard and HOCHTIEF have previously joined forces in connection with the construction of the Øresund Bridge as well as the 4 km. long district heating tunnel under Copenhagen, which was completed in 2009. Worldwide Züblin has taken part in the construction of numerous bridge and tunnel projects, for example in a joint venture the Saadiyat Bridge (in 2009), a 1.5 km  long connection between Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Island.

- ZÜBLIN and HOCHTIEF are competent cooperation partners who match our experience and professional approach. A consortium consisting of our three companies will be well prepared to handle at least one of the contracts for the coming link across the Femern Belt, says Peter Kofoed, Chief Operating Officer, MT Højgaard.

Consultants
The consortium's choice of consultants depends on whether the link will be put out for tender as a cable-stayed bridge or an immersed tunnel. If the project is put out for tender as a cable-stayed bridge, the consultants will be Rambøll Danmark A/S and Ove Arup & Partners Ltd. If the choice is an immersed tunnel, the consultants will be Grontmij | Carl Bro A/S and Capita Symonds LTD.

Facts about the Femern Belt
The fixed link across the Femern Belt will be built to improve the infrastructure linking Scandinavia, Germany and the rest of Europe. The link will also help regional development on both sides of the belt. Actual construction of the link is expected to start in 2014 and be completed in 2020. The link from shore to shore will be approximately 19 km long. www.femern.com.

 
Ed. Züblin AG. For over 110 years, Ed. Züblin AG, Stuttgart, has been successfully realising challenging construction projects in Germany and abroad. Being number one in the German building and civil engineering segment, Züblin offers its clients an extensive range of services – from civil engineering and bridge building to complex turnkey constructions, tunnelling and projects involving public private partnerships. With 12,000 employees Züblin generates an annual construction output of approximately EUR 2.5 billion. www.zueblin.de.

HOCHTIEF. Service-oriented construction forms the basis for the traditional core business of the HOCHTIEF Group in Europe. This mainly includes building and civil and structural engineering. The company has specialized in complex market segments such as high-rise buildings, airports, tunnels and power plants. HOCHTIEF Construction is the management company of the European corporate division which employs more than 9,000 staff. In addition to the classical construction business, the partnership-based business model PreFair and the property development business FormArt, the company offers its clients extensive service packages. www.hochtief-construction.com.

MT Højgaard is one of Northern Europe's leading construction and civil engineering companies, whose work includes the development, design, construction and refurbishment of plants, bridges, housing and commercial and industrial buildings. The company is headquartered in Denmark and has activities across the whole country, as well as focused international activities primarily in Europe and Asia. In 2009 MT Højgaard delivered revenues of DKK 9 billion. The company employs 5,000 people. www.mth.com.