Swedish engineering firm Trelleborg has announced that its marine and infrastructure unit has secured a contract to deliver tunnel sealing solutions for China’s ShenZhong Link project.

Under the contract awarded by Chinese construction firm CCCC Fourth Harbor Engineering Co, Trelleborg will supply its Gina gaskets and Omega seals.

Gaskets and seals will be used between the sectional elements of the ShenZhong Link’s immersed tunnel to avoid water entering into the due to external pressure.

The Gina gasket features various ingredients for optimised sealing performance, while the Omega seal acts as the secondary, safety seal that can sustain extreme movements.

The seal has been designed with two cross-weaved reinforcement layers made of nylon for durability and strength.

The arrangement of the two seals supports transfer of hydrostatic loads and movements between the tunnel ends created by settlement of soil, creep of concrete, temperature effects and earthquakes.

Trelleborg marine and infrastructure operation president Richard Hepworth said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the contract for the ShenZhong Link, yet another high profile infrastructure project, central to China’s 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020), and look forward to yet again working closely with CCCC Fourth Harbour Engineering Co Ltd.

“The award of this contract is testament to our unrivalled industry expertise and undisputed reputation as a world leader in the design and manufacture of advanced, high-performance tunnel sealing solutions.”

CCCC project manager Zhang Wensen said: “Following the success of our partnership for the construction of the Hong Kong Zhuhai Macau Bridge, we had no hesitation in turning to Trelleborg once again.

“Trelleborg’s unrivalled engineering expertise ensured that the company was a natural choice to supply the project. We look forward to further strengthening our existing relationship.”

The 24km ShenZhong Link will connect Shenzhen and Zhongshan. It will include two artificial islands, two bridges and a two-way, eight-lane tunnel with a width of up to 46m.

Upon becoming operational in 2024, it will be one of the largest and widest immersed tunnels in the world.