Grupa ORLEN has strengthened its liquefied natural gas (LNG) transport capabilities with the launch of two modern LNG carriers at the Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries shipyard in Mokpo, South Korea. The new vessels, named Danuta Siedzikówna–Inka and Rotmistrz Witold Pilecki, will enhance the flexibility and reliability of gas deliveries to Poland, boosting regional energy security. Each ship can transport enough gas to supply around two million households per voyage.

“ORLEN continuously invests in Poland’s energy security and independence. By expanding our fleet, we increase the flexibility of LNG transport and ensure stable deliveries to domestic and international customers,” said Ireneusz Fąfara, President of ORLEN.

State-of-the-Art Carriers Ready for Service

The new LNG carriers are among the most advanced globally, with a capacity of 174,000 m³ each, equivalent to about 100 million m³ of natural gas post-regasification. Designed to call at most LNG terminals worldwide, they are equipped with reliquefaction systems to recover evaporating LNG and energy-efficient integrated management systems. Engines can operate on both natural gas and diesel, meeting future maritime environmental standards. The charter period is 10 years, with an option to extend.

Each vessel can deliver nearly 1 TWh of energy per voyage, about 0.5–0.6% of Poland’s annual gas consumption. Annually, one ship can complete 8–9 round trips on the U.S.–Europe route, providing 8–9 TWh of LNG per year.

ORLEN’s Own Fleet Enhances Flexibility

With these additions, ORLEN’s LNG fleet now totals eight vessels, significantly improving logistics and operational efficiency for contracted gas deliveries. LNG remains a transitional fuel in Poland’s energy transformation strategy, with projected domestic consumption reaching 27 billion m³ annually over the next decade.

In 2025, ORLEN received a record 81 LNG shipments at its Świnoujście terminal, nearly 6 million tons in total—30% more than the previous year. The company also delivers LNG globally to markets including Japan, China, Thailand, Egypt, and Western Europe.

The expansion extends ORLEN’s regional receiving capabilities, including the FSRU terminal in Klaipeda, Lithuania, connected to Poland via the Poland–Lithuania gas pipeline. The company has also reserved the full 6.1 billion m³ regasification capacity of the upcoming floating LNG terminal in the Gulf of Gdańsk, allowing up to 58 additional shipments per year.

These new LNG carriers mark a major step forward in ORLEN’s strategy to secure supply, strengthen logistics, and reinforce Poland’s energy security.