First Wesertunnel Tunnel Elements Successfully Launched

A major milestone has been reached in the construction of the A281 Wesertunnel in Bremen, carried out by IMMONTEC in cooperation with Wayss & Freytag Ingenieurbau AG. The first two tunnel elements, TE4 and TE5, were fully constructed in Kaiserdock II in Bremerhaven and have now been successfully floated out of the dry dock.

Controlled Float-Out Operation

The float-out operation was executed with great precision. The tunnel elements were carefully brought to buoyancy by filling and emptying the ballast tanks, supported by winches and cable systems. Once the required buoyancy was achieved, tugboats safely guided the elements out of the dry dock.

This was followed by a 60 km transport route from Bremerhaven to Bremen. Multiple tugboats and a detailed tidal plan ensured sufficient under-keel clearance, particularly during passage through the sluices.

Timing and Precision

The first element departed on 3 November, followed by the second on 6 November, with a travel time of approximately seven hours for each. Along the way, the elements passed through the Kaiser Schleuse and the Oslebshauser Schleuse — a key bottleneck due to their imposing dimensions of 115 × 22 metres.

Arrival at Temporary Mooring Location

Upon arrival, TE4 and TE5 were temporarily moored at Kalihafen in Bremen, where preparations continue for the construction of the next tunnel elements. IMMONTEC is coordinating the upcoming works, including mooring facilities and the installation of winch and cable systems for transporting the subsequent elements.

This successful operation marks an important step forward in the progress of the A281 Wesertunnel — a project where precision, craftsmanship, and maritime engineering come together.

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