Final works on Orlen's Marine Transshipment Terminal underway

As reported, the Maritime Transshipment Terminal on the Dead Vistula River will improve the profitability and security of supply of bio-components for fuel production (biopetrol and biodiesel) and the transport of products, produced at the Gdansk refinery. Its target capacity could be up to 2 million tonnes of products per year.

"Among other things, the terminal will handle two key product streams: the receipt of biocomponents for biofuel production, which are currently delivered to the Gdansk refinery by rail, and the transport to ships of advanced second-generation base oils," Orlen said in the press release.

"It will also serve to transship low-sulphur MGO (Marine Gas Oil) marine fuels for the main engines and auxiliary equipment of vessels and refinery intermediates," it added.

The terminal will handle marine vessels with a length of up to 130 metres, a draft depth of up to approximately 5.8 metres and a width of up to 17.6 metres. Two modern loading bays have already been built, each equipped with four bi-directional loading arms.

"Among other things, the installation of the steel structures of the fire-fighting masts and the pumps supplying them with water from the Dead Vistula has already been completed," said the project manager at Orlen's Investment Projects Department in Gdansk Marcin Niezgoda, quoted in the press release.

"Specialised safety features, control valves, metering systems, terminal fencing and barriers have been installed. All the paving and lighting of the facility, including the emergency generator, as well as the security rooms, are ready. The automation systems are nearing completion," he added.

What remains to be completed is the fire protection system and control room equipment. The video monitoring system and measurement systems at the loading bays are being installed. Then, commissioning of the control systems will be carried out.

"(...) 2025 will be a key year. We have ahead of us the testing and commissioning of all installed components, the development of the loading software and then the operation of the first tanker," said Maciej Klecha, Construction Manager from NDI Group, quoted in the press release.

As stated, access to the sea will increase purchasing and commercial efficiency. The offshore terminal will also relieve the railway siding operating at the site, where the transport of products between the refinery and external transshipment points has so far taken place. Currently, products are shipped via external ports in Gdansk and Gdynia.

The general contractor for the investment is a consortium of companies from the Sopot-based NDI Group, which is the leader, and Biproraf, BPBM "Projmors" i Dipl. Ing. Scherzer GmbH.

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