Faster distribution and a stronger labour market

We have asked some export-oriented businesses about what logistic and market opportunities there will be following the opening of a fixed link between Denmark and Germany.

Predicting market conditions eight years down the line is no easy task, especially for dynamic businesses operating under tough international competitive conditions. Nevertheless, we have asked some business leaders about what the Fehmarnbelt link will mean to them.

Recruitment and resources
Kongskilde Industries A/S in Sorø in Western Zealand manufactures products for grain drying and processing plants for the paper and plastics industry. Already established in Germany, the company has no immediate plans to expand its market as a result of the fixed link.

"We’re well established with our own German subsidiaries, which are responsible for sales to the German market," says CEO Anette Ilsøe.

"We don’t use the Rødby-Puttgarden ferry service, but channel our exports via Jutland," she explains. ”Usually, we dispatch one truck to Germany per day and around ten to Poland, France, Italy and Spain. But, of course, we’ll see whether it will be cheaper or quicker to use the Fehmarnbelt link rather the Jutland route."

"Although the Fehmarnbelt is not crucial for us, in terms of the workforce and resources in Region Zealand, where we recruit our staff, the Fehmarn project will obviously have an impact,” adds Anette Ilsøe "On the one hand, Fehmarn can be expected to attract many people from Zealand, but at the same time, it will make the area more attractive to live in and this could have a positive effect on the recruitment of qualified staff."

No more "fringe Denmark"
Hardi International A/S of Nørre Alslev in Falster and Taastrup in Zealand manufactures field sprayers for agriculture and other types of spraying equipment.

"I don’t think that a Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link will have a direct impact on our business," says Production Director Preben Kristensen. "Indirectly, there may be implications for the region as a whole because it will become more attractive and will distance itself from "fringe Denmark".

Every week Hardi International A/S sends five trucks to Southern Europe via Germany.

"Our logistics partners choose the route and some of them use Rødby-Puttgarden. I don’t expect this to change radically after the fixed link apart from the fact that southbound journeys, which are currently via Gedser-Rostock, could switch to Rødby. Even so, because there is less traffic on the roads south of Rostock, it's easier to use.

"If our logistics partners go for the fixed link, they won’t be restricted by the strict departure times on the ferries and to some extent, this will make our dispatch system more flexible," says Preben Kristensen.

Optimising distribution
The timber trading company Bernd Jorkisch GmbH & Co KG in Daldorf, Schleswig-Holstein, is operating in Northern Germany. Member of the management Dr. Mario Hölscher believes that a fixed link will enable Jorkisch to optimise its transport network.

"The HanseBelt region (between Hamburg and Fehmarn) already plays a central role in the international timber industry," Dr. Hölscher says. "Our geographical location is perfect as we import timber from Scandinavia and Russia via the Baltic Sea while our trade towards the North Sea goes via Hamburg.

"Jorkisch will benefit from the fixed link across Fehmarnbelt because it will enable us to further expand our distribution logistics to Denmark and Sweden.”