ORLEN’s new marine terminal at its Gdańsk refinery has already handled its first vessels. Image Credit: ORLEN

Polish energy firm ORLEN’s new marine terminal at its Gdańsk refinery has already started operations, handling its first MGO loading and FAME delivery.

The first vessels loaded MGO from the refinery at the newly opened terminal and delivered FAME for use in biofuel production, the firm said in a statement on its website on Wednesday.

The Marine Transshipment Terminal allows products and feedstocks to move directly between the refinery and tankers, cutting out 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,” it said.

The facility has a 380 m quay with two berths and can handle two vessels at the same time. Each berth can accommodate ships of up to 10,000 DWT, with transfer capacity of up to 500 m3/hour.

ORLEN expects around 100 vessels and 500,000 tonnes of products to pass through the terminal in its first year.

“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," Ireneusz Fąfara, President of the ORLEN Management Board, said.

“It shortens the supply chain, increases the operational flexibility of the Gdańsk refinery and strengthens our operational independence."

The facility's throughput capacity could reach of around 1.8-2 million tonnes/year.

Ship & Bunker reported in 2024 that ORLEN was planning to expand its presence in the bunker market through the new terminal.