"We're pleased that, after a number of years of preparation and a tendering process, contracts have now been signed with the winning contractor consortia," says Femern's CEO Mr Claus Baunkjær. "As a result, our prime focus is now on obtaining German approval, which is a condition for getting construction underway."

Femern Link Contractors (FLC) has won three of the contracts for the north, south and tunnel portals and ramps sections of the link which is expected to take eight and a half years to complete. FLC comprises Vinci Construction Grands Projets, and Soletanche Bachy International, France, Per Aarsleff Holding, Denmark, Wayss & Freytag Ingenieurbau and Max Bögl Stiftung, Germany, CFE and Netherlands Dredging International, Belgium, and BAM Infra and BAM International, Netherlands.

The dredging and land reclamation contract has gone to Fehmarn Belt Contractors comprising Boskalis International and Van Oord Dredging and Marine Contractors, Netherlands, and Hochtief Solutions and Ed Züblin, Germany.

Femarn says that some bidders that were not awarded contracts have lodged a complaint with the Danish Review Board for Public Procurement which is currently considering their claims.