Port Gdynia and Orlen have signed a letter of intent on the joint development of LNG and bioLNG bunkering technologies. The agreement was signed on behalf of the port by CEO Piotr Gorzeński, while Orlen was represented by Robert Soszyński, the company’s Vice-President of the Management Board for Operations.

An Orlen representative stressed that the progress of Poland’s maritime economy can be clearly seen in the dynamic energy sector, particularly in the gas trade. As he pointed out, this would not have been possible without partners at the ports of Świnoujście, Gdańsk and Gdynia.

Świnoujście is home to the largest LNG terminal, while in Gdańsk as many as two FSRU vessels are expected to be operating in the coming years, supplying gas to the national system. Through cooperation with ORLEN, the port is to gain the capability to bunker vessels calling at the port with gas.

"Our expanded cooperation with the Port of Gdynia marks an important step in developing the LNG and bioLNG market in the Tricity area and forms part of a wider transformation of ORLEN’s fuel portfolio through 2035. Under the ORLEN Group’s strategy, gas, including LNG, will play a strategic role as a transitional fuel supporting energy security and the decarbonisation of transport. Our ambition is to build competitive strengths across the entire value chain – from supply and logistics through to end use. In parallel, we are developing capabilities in renewable fuels, including bioLNG, which could become one of the key pathways to lower emissions in heavy-duty road and maritime transport over the coming years. We want ORLEN to be more than a fuel supplier to ports. We aim to be a partner in their transition, making a genuine contribution to the development of infrastructure and market conditions needed for alternative marine fuels to grow in Poland and the wider region" – said Robert Soszyński, Vice President of the ORLEN Management Board, Operations.

Port Gdynia CEO Piotr Gorzeński said that shipowners are actively working towards selecting new types of fuels for their fleets. Besides LNG and bioLNG, these include methanol and ammonia. Maersk, among others, is exploring methanol. On Wednesday, 2 September, the world’s largest methanol-powered container ship, OOCL Wisdom, called at the Port of Gdańsk.

"Energy transition in the shipping industry is already under way. Shipowners are looking for solutions that could reduce emissions, while ports need to be ready to accommodate vessels using a range of fuels and technologies. We want the Port of Gdynia to be prepared for what the future may bring, because no one can say with certainty which solutions will matter most 10 or 20 years from now. This is why we’re developing the port to respond to the changing needs of vessels and support reductions in emissions from maritime transport. Our cooperation with ORLEN on LNG and bioLNG bunkering is one of the steps in that direction" – said Piotr Gorzeński, CEO of the Port of Gdynia Authority.

The scope of the partnership includes knowledge sharing, assessment of the needs of shipowners and port users – particularly the operators of scheduled ferry, container and ro-ro services – evaluation of potential bunkering models, and a review of solutions used at other European ports. The parties will examine, among other options, the potential for ship-to-ship bunkering, its suitability for larger vessels, and the feasibility of bunkering while a vessel is alongside, also in parallel with cargo handling operations. The objective is to develop solutions tailored to market needs, while ensuring compliance with the safety requirements, minimising disruption to vessel traffic, ensuring berth availability, maintaining operational efficiency and safeguarding the continuity of terminal operations.

Photo: ORLEN press release