ORLEN and Gdynia Port Assess LNG Bunkering Development

ORLEN, a Polish energy company, and the Port of Gdynia Authority have initiated a joint assessment regarding the development of LNG and bio-LNG bunkering services for marine vessels. This collaboration aims to explore infrastructure and market solutions that could broaden access to alternative fuels along the Polish coast.

The cooperation will involve an examination of market demand, the potential scale of LNG and bio-LNG bunkering operations, and the infrastructure requirements. Operating conditions and the necessary regulatory framework to support future services will also be part of the analysis.

A key area under consideration is waterside bunkering, including ship-to-ship operations. This method involves the direct transfer of fuel from a bunker vessel to another ship while it is in port. The initiative aligns with ORLEN's broader fuel portfolio transformation strategy.

Natural gas, including LNG, is viewed as a transitional fuel supporting energy security and transport decarbonisation within ORLEN's strategic framework. The company is working to enhance capabilities across the entire value chain, encompassing fuel sourcing, logistics, and end-use applications. Concurrently, ORLEN is developing renewable fuel capabilities, such as bio-LNG, which is seen as a potential avenue for reducing emissions in heavy-duty road transport and shipping.

ORLEN's objective is to engage with ports not only as a fuel supplier but also as a partner in developing infrastructure and market conditions for alternative marine fuels in Poland and the wider region. The Port of Gdynia Authority acknowledges the shipping industry's energy transition, which is altering fuel and technology requirements for ports. Shipowners are increasingly seeking ways to reduce emissions, necessitating ports capable of serving vessels utilising a broader array of propulsion technologies and fuels.

The cooperation will include knowledge sharing and an assessment of requirements among shipowners and port users, particularly operators of scheduled ferry, container, and ro-ro services. ORLEN and the Port of Gdynia will also analyse bunkering models employed at other European ports. Options under review include the suitability of ship-to-ship bunkering for larger vessels and the possibility of supplying fuel while ships are alongside the berth. The partners will also examine whether bunkering could occur concurrently with cargo-handling operations.