Our field of expertise

Engineering the limpet dam

 

Precision engineering below sea level
The Fehmarnbelt Tunnel is a long-term infrastructure project in which Saltwater is actively involved. Once completed, it will become the world’s longest immersed tunnel at 18 kilometers, connecting Rødby (Denmark) and Puttgarden (Germany), and facilitating both rail and road transport. With public opening planned for 2029, the tunnel represents a major step forward in enhancing Europe’s cross-border connectivity.

 

As part of this complex engineering effort, various specialized support systems are required to enable precise and safe construction operations beneath the sea surface.
The maintenance barge is a pontoon designed as a service platform for the so-called immersion pontoon. This large floating structure is used for the accurate placement of tunnel elements on the seabed.

 

Innovating Water Barriers: The Limpet Dam
For the maintenance barge, commissioned by FLC, we designed a limpet dam and a limpet dam door, starting with structural calculations and the development of a general construction plan. This plan defined a large part of the structure but did not yet include enough detail for direct fabrication. After approval of this initial plan, we were commissioned to further develop the design into the detailed engineering phase. This involved refining the design to a level suitable for immediate production.

 

The engineering was carried out in ShipConstructor, in which we modeled the complete limpet dam and integrated door in 3D. From this model, all necessary production data were generated, including construction drawings, cutting files, and profile sketches. This output serves as the foundation for efficient and accurate fabrication.