The planned state funding of the planned Fehmarnbelt tunnel between Denmark and Germany is not legal. This was decided by the EU court in Luxembourg.
The court partially waived the complaints of the shipping companies Scandlines Danmark and Scandlines Germany as well as the Swedish Stena Line Scandinavia.
It annulled an EU Commission decision of 2015 on one important point. The Commission had stated that it had no objection to the Danish aid planned by Denmark for the Femern A / S group for the design, construction and operation of the almost 18-kilometer-long tunnel under the Baltic Sea. The crossing is to connect Puttgarden on Fehmarn with the Danish island of Lolland.
A court spokesman said state aid must be notified to the EU Commission. In that case, the aid was approved without initiating a formal investigation procedure. This is necessary.
Controversial link
Private shipping companies see a distortion of competition because of state subsidies. "We are satisfied with the decision of the European Union court," said Scandlines boss Søren Poulsgaard Jensen.
The start of construction of the tunnel has been delayed for several years - mainly because of the complex planning process for the necessary hinterland connection in Schleswig-Holstein. The cost alone is estimated at four billion euros. In addition, environmental associations point out the environmental consequences of the mammoth project.
Originally the tunnel should be finished in 2021. Last 2028 was the earliest date of completion. An opinion from Femern A / S was initially not available.
The EU Commission can appeal the ruling to the European Court of Justice within two months.
Video of the project of the century: Tunnel between Denmark and Germany
Femern A / S
