ORLEN expands LNG carrier fleet with two new vessels

- ORLEN continuously invests in the energy security and independence of Poland and the region. That is why we are developing not only our upstream activities, successfully exploring both domestically and on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. We are also expanding our trading capabilities. Increasing the number of vessels in our fleet strengthens the flexibility of LNG transportation to Poland and allows us to ensure stable supplies for customers in Poland and across our markets. At the same time, we are enhancing the energy security of the entire region, said Ireneusz Fąfara, President of the Management Board of ORLEN.

The new LNG carriers, “Danuta Siedzikówna-Inka” and “Rotmistrz Witold Pilecki”, are among the most advanced vessels of their type currently operating worldwide. Each ship has a capacity of 174,000 cubic metres of LNG and can transport around 70,000 tonnes of liquefied natural gas in a single voyage.

After regasification, this corresponds to approximately 100 million cubic metres of natural gas — roughly the amount consumed by all Polish households in a week. In energy terms, a single cargo equals close to 1 TWh, representing around 0.5–0.6% of Poland’s annual natural gas demand.

The vessels were designed to operate at most LNG terminals worldwide, providing significant operational flexibility. The charter period is set at 10 years with an option for extension. The ships’ godmothers are Renata Rosiak, Executive Director at ORLEN, and pianist Zuzanna Sejbuk.

Each LNG carrier of this class can complete around 8–9 voyages annually on the US–Europe route, providing a potential transport capacity of approximately 8–9 TWh of gas per year.

The vessels incorporate advanced technological solutions to improve efficiency and reduce operational losses. They are equipped with a reliquefaction system that allows boil-off gas generated during transport to be recovered and reused. An integrated energy management system has also been installed, while the engines can operate on both natural gas and marine diesel oil.

With the addition of the new vessels, ORLEN’s LNG fleet now consists of eight carriers, significantly increasing the company’s logistical capabilities in the global LNG market. Having its own fleet enables ORLEN to handle a substantial share of contracted LNG deliveries using its own vessels.

The development of LNG transport is a key element of ORLEN’s strategy. Natural gas is expected to play the role of a transition fuel in the energy transition, with consumption in Poland projected to rise to around 27 billion cubic metres annually within the next decade.

Last year, the LNG terminal in Świnoujście recorded a new milestone, with ORLEN receiving 81 LNG deliveries — 20 more than in the previous year. The total volume reached nearly 6 million tonnes, representing a 30% increase year-on-year.

ORLEN is also expanding its presence in the global LNG market, having already delivered cargoes to Japan, China, Thailand, Egypt and terminals in Western Europe.

The company is strengthening regional gas reception capabilities as well. ORLEN uses capacity at the FSRU terminal in Klaipėda, from which regasified gas is transported to Poland via the Poland–Lithuania pipeline. At the same time, domestic infrastructure is being developed. ORLEN has reserved the entire regasification capacity of the planned floating LNG terminal in the Gulf of Gdańsk, which will reach 6.1 bcm per year.

Once operational, the installation could increase the number of LNG cargoes received by the ORLEN Group by up to 58 shipments annually.