Denmark News Summary for Thursday
The construction of the Fehmarn Belt rail link, a significant EU priority project, is underway but experiencing some delays. The project, which aims to connect Denmark and Germany with an 18 km immersed tunnel, is expected to begin assembling the first tunnel segments in 2025 and be completed around 2029[1][3]. However, delays in the delivery of ships essential for tunnel element installation pose risks that could impact the scheduled 2029 opening.
The Fehmarn Belt link, which will also carry road traffic, is designed to drastically reduce travel times. A ferry crossing of about 45 minutes will be replaced by a roughly 7-minute train ride and a 10-minute car drive, nearly halving train journey times between Copenhagen and Hamburg[1][2][3]. This improvement in EU transport connectivity, reduction in carbon emissions, and easing of capacity bottlenecks are expected to bring significant benefits.
However, any postponement in the project's completion risks slowing economic integration and environmental benefits anticipated from earlier completion. Extended construction schedules typically increase costs and may affect toll pricing or project financing, although specific financial impacts are not detailed in the sources[3].
In other news, Denmark has issued its first-ever 'dangerous' rains alert due to record downpours, according to a report by meteorological agency DMI. Meteorological agency DMI issued red alerts for "very dangerous" rain on Monday, the first time the agency has issued this level of alert for rain. The alert was issued due to a genuine risk of dangerous weather conditions that could cause local flooding.
Meanwhile, customs officers at Copenhagen Airport have seized 5,000 doping pills and half a litre of liquid doping from a single passenger. The seizure was reported by the Ministry of Taxation in a statement. Tax Minister Rasmus Stoklund expressed concern about the incident, stating that too many people destroy their lives by taking doping substances.
Japan has vowed to pursue anti-whaling activist Paul Watson despite Interpol lifting its red wanted notice against him. Watson was accused of causing damage to a whaling ship and injuring a whaler on a 2012 Japanese warrant. However, Denmark refused to extradite Watson in December 2024, following an incident in 2010 during a clash with whalers[4]. Japan's arrest warrant for Watson, who was arrested in Greenland in 2024, remains valid.
[1] Fehmarn Belt rail link: delays in construction due to late deliveries of ships. (2025). The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/01/fehmarn-belt-rail-link-delays-in-construction-due-to-late-deliveries-of-ships
[2] Fehmarn Belt rail link: what you need to know. (2023). BBC News. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57218485
[3] Fehmarn Belt rail link: delays could impact the scheduled 2029 opening. (2025). Deutsche Welle. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/fehmarn-belt-rail-link-delays-could-impact-the-scheduled-2029-opening/a-61419249
[4] Denmark refuses to extradite anti-whaling activist Paul Watson to Japan. (2024). The Independent. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/denmark-refuses-to-extradite-anti-whaling-activist-paul-watson-to-japan-b9208381.html
- Articles in general-news outlets like The Guardian, BBC News, and Deutsche Welle discuss the ongoing construction of the Fehmarn Belt rail link, a significant EU project connecting Denmark and Germany, but mention delays due to late deliveries of necessary ships.
- Meanwhile, an unrelated piece of news features Denmark issuing a 'dangerous' rains alert due to record downpours, with the meteorological agency DMI issuing red alerts for "very dangerous" rain, marking the first time such a high level of alert has been issued for rain in the country.
