GAZ-SYSTEM has completed the first part of the tendering and selected two potential suppliers of the LNG FSRU Terminal Unit in the Gulf of Gdansk
GAZ-SYSTEM has concluded agreements (Term Sheet) with two shipowners that set out the framework conditions for the delivery and use of the first FSRU vessel (Floating Storage Regasification Unit), which is to serve as a regasification terminal in the Gulf of Gdańsk. A tender process is still underway to select one supplier from the two pre-selected in the second stage, with which a charter agreement will be signed (Time Charter Party). Regasification services are planned to start in early 2028.
Both companies are leaders in the FSRU industry. BW LNG is a wholly-owned affiliate of BW Group, a leading maritime company with over 490 vessels transporting oil and gas, 33 of which are LNG carriers and FSRUs. Japanese Mitsui O.S.K. Lines owns 111 LNG vessels, including the world's largest FSRU called Bauhinia Spirit.
- We are just one step away from signing a charter agreement for the FSRU vessel for the terminal in the Gulf of Gdańsk. Poland has greatly benefited from its consistent development of energy infrastructure. The implementation of the FSRU project complements the long-term strategy of diversifying the directions of blue fuel supply and building gas security for Poland and the region. It constitutes a counterbalance to Russian supplies in the region and provides new opportunities for the economic growth of our country - said Anna Łukaszewska-Trzeciakowska, Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure.
- We have completed a key stage in the procedure to select the supplier of the FSRU vessel. Separate conditional preliminary agreements known as Term Sheets have been signed with two entities. For further negotiations, we have selected experienced companies with the know-how and relevant production and financial background. The construction of the FSRU Terminal in the Gulf of Gdańsk is currently our company's most important investment project - said Marcin Chludziński, GAZ-SYSTEM President.
- BW LNG is honoured to be shortlisted by GAZ-SYSTEM to build and operate Poland’s first FSRU. strengthen energy security for both Poland, and the Central/Easten European region. Backed by an extensive FSRU track record, we look forward to this strategic cooperation, continuing the longstanding relationship Norway and Poland share. At BW LNG, we are committed to our strategy to develop floating LNG infrastructure as the world moves towards a low carbon society and countries are looking for sustainable, affordable, and reliable energy - said Yngvil Åsheim, BW LNG CEO.
- It is a great honour for MOL to contribute to the strategic infrastructure project in Gulf of Gdańsk. Through the 140-years history of MOL, we have been providing services across various industries with customer-focused mindset. We see the LNG industry as an important key driver towards a sustainable global economy. We are committed to this remarkable project which strengthens the energy security in the region in a long-term - said Toshinobu Shinoda, Managing Director of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. ’s Regional Head Quarter, MOL (Europe Africa).
The FSRU (Floating Storage and Regasification Unit) will be capable of regasification of 6.1 bcm of gase’us fuel per year. GAZ-SYSTEM has already signed the agreement covering the entire regasification capacity of the Unit.
The FSRU Program also includes other investments necessary to start up the FSRU Terminal in the Gulf of Gdańsk. In addition to the FSRU vessel, it is also necessary to build offshore and onshore infrastructure. The offshore infrastructure consists mainly of the mooring jetty and the offshore gas pipeline, which is the responsibility of GAZ-SYSTEM. It is also necessary to build a breakwater, which is the responsibility of the Maritime Office in Gdynia. The entire planned offshore infrastructure, including the FSRU, will be located approx. 3 km away from the shore. The FSRU mooring jetty and the breakwater will be located close to the existing approach fairway and within the Port of Gdańsk. The offshore pipeline will allow gas to be transported to the National Transmission Network. The expansion of the onshore gas transmission network is a very important part of the project. Approximately 250 km of transmission pipelines will be constructed as part of the project to enable efficient distribution of gas from Gdańsk area to central Poland. The construction of onshore gas pipelines is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2024, but no later than the first quarter of 2025.
The commissioning of the entire investment, which has the status of a "Project of Community Interest" with the financial support of the European Commission for pre-investment works for the offshore part of the project, is planned for 2027/2028.
For more effective implementation of the FSRU Program, GAZ-SYSTEM signed agreements with the Maritime Office in Gdynia and the Port of Gdańsk Authority in October this year. The parties undertook to cooperate and coordinate processes of key importance to the project as a whole. According to the signed agreements, GAZ-SYSTEM will be responsible for the construction of the mooring jetty and the offshore and onshore gas pipelines. The Maritime Office in Gdynia will be responsible for the construction of the infrastructure including the breakwater and the fairway together with the aids to navigation. The Port of Gdańsk Authority, as the entity managing the port infrastructure and its development, will play a supporting role during the project engineering, preparatory and implementation stages.
The European Commission, as part of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), has granted the LNG Gdańsk project funding for the action entitled: "Pre-investment works to obtain a building permit for the offshore part of PCI 6.27 LNG Gdańsk (PL)". The maximum amount of support granted is approximately EUR 19.6 million.