Polish energy company Gaz-System is close to naming its chosen candidate to supply a floating storage and regasification unit that will serve as the country’s first FSRU-based import terminal.
Gaz-System said in a statement that it selected BW LNG and Mitsui OSK Lines following a tender process for the unit and has signed agreements with both shipowners on key items such as the vessel delivery date and charter period which form the basis for further negotiations.
The Polish company said it plans to conclude a 15-year deal with one of the two pre-selected candidates.
“We are just one step away from signing a charter agreement for the FSRU vessel for the terminal in the Gulf of Gdansk,” said Anna Lukaszewska-Trzeciakowska, the government plenipotentiary for strategic energy infrastructure.
“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.”
TradeWinds named the two shipowners as shortlisted for the Polish FSRU job on 23 October. Last week, this publication reported that sources are tipping BW LNG to win the job but stressed that no contracts had been signed.
Gaz-System wants to start regasification services from the 6.1bn-cbm capacity FSRU in early 2028.
The company has signed up to take the entire capacity from the unit.
Gaz-System will also build a mooring jetty and offshore gas pipeline while the Maritime Office in Gdynia will be responsible for the construction of a breakwater.
The entire planned offshore infrastructure, including the FSRU, will be located about 3 km from the shore.
Some 250 km of transmission pipelines will be constructed as part of the project to link it to the grid and allow gas to reach central Poland.
Gaz-System said 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.
