Polish energy company ORLEN on Friday (4 September) said it has signed an agreement with Port of Gdynia Authority to assess the development of LNG and bioLNG bunkering services for marine vessels, as both organisations explore infrastructure and market solutions that could expand access to alternative fuels along the Polish coast. The cooperation will examine market demand, the potential scale of LNG and bioLNG bunkering, required infrastructure, operating conditions and the regulatory framework needed to support future services. One of the main areas under consideration will be waterside bunkering, including ship-to-ship operations, where fuel is transferred directly from a bunker vessel to another ship while in port. Robert Soszyński, Vice President of the ORLEN Management Board for Operations, said the cooperation with the Port of Gdynia forms part of the Group’s broader fuel portfolio transformation through 2035. Under ORLEN’s strategy, natural gas, including LNG, is expected to retain an important role as a transitional fuel supporting energy security and transport decarbonisation. The company is seeking to strengthen capabilities across the full value chain, including fuel sourcing, logistics and final use. At the same time, ORLEN is developing renewable fuel capabilities, including bioLNG, which the company sees as a potential route for reducing emissions in heavy-duty road transport and shipping. Soszyński said ORLEN’s ambition is to work with ports not only as a fuel supplier but also as a partner in developing infrastructure and market conditions for alternative marine fuels in Poland and the wider region. Piotr Gorzeński, CEO of the Port of Gdynia Authority, said the shipping industry’s energy transition is already changing the fuel and technology requirements faced by ports. “Shipowners are increasingly examining ways to reduce emissions, while ports need to be capable of serving vessels using a wider range of propulsion technologies and fuels,” he said.