ORLEN’s Marine Terminal Enters Commissioning Phase — First Transfers Completed
ORLEN has successfully completed the first stage of technological commissioning of its new Marine Cargo Terminal on the Dead Vistula river in Gdańsk. The facility is set to begin full operations in mid-2025. The nearly half-a-billion-zloty investment will ultimately handle up to 1.8 million tonnes of products annually, strengthening supply security for the refinery and cutting logistics costs.
The commissioning phase has already seen the first vessels moor at the terminal. ORLEN tested eight automated, bidirectional loading arms — each weighing 18 tonnes — capable of handling various product groups between tankers and the refinery.
State-of-the-Art Infrastructure
The terminal features a 380-metre quay with two cargo handling berths designed for vessels with a deadweight tonnage of up to 10,000 DWT, a length of up to 130 metres, a beam of up to 17.6 metres, and a draught of up to 5.8 metres. Each berth is equipped with four loading arms operating at 10 bar pressure and a throughput of up to 500 cubic metres per hour.
“We have successfully completed the first stage of technological commissioning. Ahead of us are warranty test operations and the finalisation of administrative procedures. In the first year of operations, we plan to handle around 100 vessels and transfer 500,000 tonnes of products. The terminal will shorten the logistics chain, reduce reliance on rail and road transport, and lower the refinery’s operating costs,” said Bartosz Hejcelman, Director of the Logistics Infrastructure Office at ORLEN.
Products and Operations
The terminal will handle biocomponents for fuel production, base oils, marine fuels, and refinery semi-finished products. The first pair of loading arms covers the export of xylene and the import of petrol additives. The second pair handles the unloading of biofuel components. The remaining two pairs support the loading of base oils for engine and hydraulic oil production, as well as the handling of low-sulphur marine fuels.
In the first year of operation, the terminal is expected to handle approximately 100 ships and transfer 500,000 tonnes of products.
The Most Advanced Terminal in Poland
ORLEN’s investment is the most technologically advanced cargo terminal in Poland. Automated control systems support the entire transfer process and minimise the risk of operational errors. The system independently selects the appropriate berth, loading arms, and valve configuration for each specific product. Operators can manage the process both from the terminal control room and remotely — directly from the tanker’s side.
“This is the most modern terminal in Poland. The high level of automation allows operations to be carried out efficiently and safely. At the same time, just three people can handle two tankers simultaneously. The terminal will operate around the clock on a shift system,” said Dominik Bork, Manager of ORLEN’s Cargo Terminal in Gdańsk.
Safety Systems
The facility is equipped with extensive safety infrastructure. Remotely controlled fire monitors, each with a capacity of 2,400 litres per minute, are powered by a pumping station with a throughput of 500 cubic metres per hour, drawing water directly from the Dead Vistula. The terminal also features an oil spill barrier system to protect the waterway during vessel operations.
Automation also enhances mooring safety. Quick-release hooks on the dolphins allow vessels to be unmoored and loading arms to be disconnected rapidly. Ship crews are provided with tablets that monitor mooring line loads and alert them to the risk of overloading.
Strategic Significance
The new terminal will relieve the refinery’s railway siding and reduce dependency on external ports in Gdańsk and Gdynia. Thanks to a direct connection with the ORLEN refinery, the terminal will increase supply flexibility and expand the possibilities for logistics channel diversification — a significant step forward for Poland’s energy infrastructure resilience.
