Tunnel construction activities in Germany at the turn of 2024/25 comprise 40 transport tunnel projects with a total length of around 83 km, thus stagnating at a historically low level. At the time of reporting, the volume of planned transport tunnels amounts to 156 individual projects with a total length of 659 km.

According to information from the project company Femern A/S, preparations for the special ship IVY, which plays a key role in the construction of the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel, were nearing completion at the end of January 2026.The approval of the immersion pontoon is almost two years behind the original schedule.

On 11 June 2026, the 11th Rock Mechanics and Tunnelling Day will take place at the WBI Center in Weinheim (Germany). The conference will be organized by WBI GmbH, sponsored by the German Railway (DB InfraGO AG) and supported by the German Engineering Association (Württembergischer Ingenieurverein, Arbeitskreis Bautechnik).

The expansion and modernization of the international Stuttgart–Zurich rail link is gaining momentum. On February 9, 2026, Deutsche Bahn began preparatory work for the excavation of the Pfaffensteig Tunnel.

How familiar is this scenario? A bid for a lucrative tunnel construction project is due, the general conditions are set, and the clock is ticking. The bid price is binding, but despite extensive experience in numerous tunnelling projects, not all details could be captured in such a short time. A risk remains that could ultimately determine the economic success or failure of the project or, in the worst case, the continued existence of a company. To address these issues, the company Flora Tunnelling pursues an approach that combines digital tools with a holistic view of process and design. Simulations and the use of intelligent assistance systems enable comprehensive understanding and optimization of project planning, coordinated equipment design, and risk management.

The implementation of large-scale projects requires robust planning that takes into account various target variables such as sustainability, construction time and cost. Process simulation is a suitable method for designing the construction process as efficiently and robustly as possible in the early stages of planning and for holistically assessing the impact of changes in the planning process on execution. Using the Fürth Freight Train Tunnel project as an example, this article shows how simulation-based planning methods can help to transparently present and analyse interfaces in logistics planning, realistically model construction processes and thus support informed decisions.

Exhausted but happy – that was the prevailing feeling among most participants at the STUVA Conference 2025 in Hamburg. As anticipated, the three days from November 25 to 27, 2025, at the Congress Center Hamburg were exceptionally intense: All exhibition space at STUVA Expo, covering approximately 7000 m², was allocated in no time at all, and the number of conference participants had been breaking records since the early registration phase. In the end, about 4400 people participated in the world‘s largest conference and trade fair for tunnels and infrastructure. For three days, participants focused on major current issues facing the industry: sustainability and CO ₂ reduction, digitalization and BIM, safety and availability, energy corridors and urban mobility – all with the familiar atmosphere that makes the STUVA Conference held every two years something very special.