MARIN Study Warns Baltic Bridge Tunnels Face Growing Ship Collision Risk

A study by Dutch maritime research institute MARIN has found that immersed tunnels forming part of major sea crossings face a rising risk of ship collisions as vessels grow larger. Prompted by an incident in which a bulk carrier grounded metres from the Fehmarnbelt tunnel under construction between Denmark and Germany, the research assessed collision and grounding risks along the Fehmarnbelt and Øresund crossings. It concluded that infrastructure designed decades ago was not built with today's larger vessels in mind, and recommended measures including improved monitoring and emergency anchoring zones.

 

The Incident That Prompted the Study

 

The research was triggered by a specific near-miss event. In March, the bulk carrier Scot Carrier suffered a technical failure. This occurred as it approached the Fehmarnbelt crossing. The vessel grounded on a shoal as a result. It came to rest only tens of metres from the tunnel under construction.

This event exposed a serious potential vulnerability. The Fehmarnbelt tunnel is being built between Denmark and Germany. A collision with such infrastructure could have severe consequences. The near-miss prompted MARIN to examine the risks more closely. The resulting study assessed collision and grounding risks along the crossing.

 

Scope of the Research

 

The study examined two significant sea crossings. It assessed the Fehmarnbelt crossing between Denmark and Germany. It also evaluated the Øresund crossing in the same region. Both crossings incorporate immersed tunnels as part of their design. These tunnels sit within busy shipping areas.

The research focused on the specific risks these tunnels face. It considered the likelihood of ship collisions with the structures. Grounding risks were also part of the assessment. The study combined analysis of vessel traffic with the tunnels' characteristics. This provided a picture of the risks in these particular locations.

 

The Core Finding on Vessel Size

 

The study's central conclusion concerns the growth in ship sizes. It found that infrastructure was designed decades ago. This design did not account for today's larger vessels. Ships have grown substantially since these crossings were planned. This creates a mismatch between the infrastructure and current traffic.

This mismatch drives the rising collision risk. Larger vessels carry greater momentum and are harder to stop. They pose a greater threat to fixed infrastructure in the event of failure. The tunnels were not built with such vessels in mind. As ships continue to grow, this risk is expected to increase further.

 

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Implications for Immersed Tunnels

 

The findings carry particular significance for immersed tunnel design. Immersed tunnels rest on or near the seabed in shipping channels. This places them in potential conflict with vessel traffic. A grounding or collision could damage these structures. The consequences of such damage could be severe.

The Scot Carrier incident illustrated this vulnerability directly. The vessel came to rest very close to the Fehmarnbelt tunnel. This demonstrated how a technical failure could threaten the structure. It highlighted the narrow margin between routine traffic and potential disaster. This proximity underscored the need to reassess the risks.

 

Recommended Mitigation Measures

 

The study proposed several measures to address the risks. Improved monitoring of vessel traffic was among the recommendations. Better monitoring could help identify problems earlier. This would allow for a faster response to developing situations. Early detection is central to preventing collisions.

The research also recommended physical and procedural safeguards. Emergency anchoring zones were among the proposed measures. Such zones would give vessels in difficulty a place to stop safely. This could prevent a stricken ship from drifting toward infrastructure. These measures aim to reduce the likelihood and consequences of incidents.

 

Broader Significance for Marine Infrastructure

 

The findings have implications beyond the two studied crossings. Many marine infrastructure projects were designed decades ago. These may face similar mismatches with modern vessel sizes. The study highlights a broader challenge for ageing marine infrastructure. It suggests such structures may need reassessment against current traffic.

The research points toward a need for proactive risk management. As vessels continue to grow, existing safeguards may prove inadequate. Regular reassessment of collision risks could become increasingly important. The measures recommended for the Baltic crossings could apply elsewhere. This positions the study as a warning relevant to infrastructure worldwide.