LOTOS Petrobaltic from the ORLEN Group signed a cooperation agreement with the Industrial Development Agency (ARP). It concerns support in the construction of three evssels intended for the transfer of employees to the area of offshore wind farms (OWF) and securing financing for the implementation of the project. The ships, which are to be put into service in 2025-2026, will also be able to be used during installation works and cable laying.

– We take a comprehensive approach to the development of offshore wind energy. We are investing in the construction of the first offshore wind farm, which will be built in the Polish waters of the Baltic Sea. Baltic Power, because this is what we are talking about, is today the most advanced offshore wind project in Poland. We have also recently obtained five further concessions for the construction of new assets in the Polish Exclusive Economic Zone of the Baltic Sea. At the same time, we are already thinking about servicing these facilities. Through the agreement with the Industrial Development Agency, we are starting the construction of a specialized fleet for offshore wind energy – says Daniel Obajtek, President of the Management Board of ORLEN.

The cooperation concerns crew transfer vessels (CTV). Pursuant to the provisions of the agreement, a designated company from the Industrial Development Agency Capital Group will obtain offers from the shipyard for the construction of three such vessels, obtain financing, and then deliver the ready-made ships and hand them over to LOTOS Petrobaltic in the so-called bareboat charter (i.e. without a crew).

The ships are to be built by Polish shipyards and designed by a Polish design office based on the technical design provided by LOTOS Petrobaltic. Technical requirements include: enabling transport for 24 technicians, a dual-fuel engine with an alternative power option for emission-free sailing, the ability to transport loads and its own crane. The ships are to be put into operation in 2025-2026 and chartered for servicing work on offshore wind farms.

– LOTOS Petrobaltic has over thirty years of experience in offshore operations and maritime logistics. We also operate actively in the offshore wind energy sector, conducting geotechnical research. Our ambition is to increase our involvement in this area. The signed contract will allow us to gain additional competences in the form of providing logistics services for servicing offshore wind farms. This is not only an important step towards implementing our strategy, but also an opportunity for the entire economy. The participation of Polish entrepreneurs in this process will contribute to building their position in the global value chain in the offshore wind energy segment –says Grzegorz Strzelczyk, President of the Management Board of LOTOS Petrobaltic.

LOTOS Petrobaltic's cooperation with the Industrial Development Agency began in 2021. The common goal is to build and charter service vessels belonging to a shipowner based in Poland, which provides prospects for creating and systematically strengthening a local supply chain of products and services (local content) for OWW created by domestic industrial enterprises. Companies from the Industrial Development Agency Capital Group have potential, including financial potential, that can be effectively used in the implementation of offshore wind energy projects in the Baltic Sea.

– The Industrial Development Agency supports the development of Polish industry in three basic areas: restructuring, development of innovative technologies and energy transformation. ARP combines these key issues by actively supporting the construction of a supply chain for the Polish OWF. Thanks to our involvement in creating a Polish service fleet, our company will increase its participation in building a supply chain for the newly emerging energy sector in Poland - the offshore wind energy sector – says Cezariusz Lesisz, President of the Management Board of the Industrial Development Agency.

The signed agreement is the next stage in the implementation of the LOTOS Petrobaltic strategy, which assumes becoming an offshore wind operator specializing in maritime logistics and servicing the underwater infrastructure of offshore wind farms. As part of the company's development, it is particularly important to fulfill the obligations contained in the sector agreement to which it is a signatory, regarding the participation of domestic companies in the supply chain of services for OWE.