Polish energy company ORLEN has announced that its new Marine Transshipment Terminal at the Gdańsk refinery has commenced operations, having already received its first vessels for marine gas oil (MGO) loading and FAME (fatty acid methyl ester) delivery.

According to a statement published on ORLEN's website on Wednesday, the first vessels to call at the newly opened terminal loaded MGO from the refinery and delivered FAME for use in biofuel production. FAME is a primary biodiesel component blended into conventional diesel fuel to help meet renewable energy targets under the European Union's Renewable Energy Directive, which requires member states to increase the share of renewables in the transport sector.

The terminal enables products and feedstocks to move directly between the refinery and tankers, eliminating the need for intermediate transport.

"Designed to handle more than 1.8 million tonnes of cargo annually, the terminal has already received its first vessels, which loaded marine gas oil (MGO) from the refinery and delivered FAME for use in biofuel production," ORLEN said.\n
The facility features a 380-metre quay equipped with two berths, allowing it to handle two vessels simultaneously. Each berth can accommodate ships of up to 10,000 DWT, with a transfer capacity of up to 500 m³/hour. The terminal is located on the Martwa Wisła, a branch of the Vistula River that serves as a key industrial waterway within the Port of Gdańsk, one of the largest seaports on the Baltic Sea.

ORLEN expects approximately 100 vessels and 500,000 tonnes of products to pass through the terminal during its first year of operation. The facility's throughput capacity could ultimately reach around 1.8–2 million tonnes per year.

Ireneusz Fąfara, President of the ORLEN Management Board, described the project as a strategic asset for Poland's energy infrastructure.

"The ORLEN Marine Transshipment Terminal on the Martwa Wisła River in Gdańsk is a strategically important project that will enhance the security and efficiency of Poland's fuel logistics," Fąfara said. "It shortens the supply chain, increases the operational flexibility of the Gdańsk refinery and strengthens our operational independence."

The terminal's direct sea-access capability positions ORLEN to supply marine fuels to vessels transiting the Baltic Sea, a major freight corridor for European trade. Ship & Bunker reported in 2024 that ORLEN was planning to expand its presence in the bunker market through the new terminal.

Source: Ship & Bunker