On Wednesday, July 8, the LNG carrier Ignacy Jan Paderewski docked at the Świnoujście terminal. This marks the first shipment of liquefied natural gas in the second half of 2026, ending an eight-day hiatus in deliveries.
The previous cargo arrived on June 29. The gap was caused by the cancellation of a scheduled delivery from Qatar, a direct consequence of the ongoing conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran. Qatari LNG has not been shipped to Poland since April 24, when the Duhail delivered the last consignment.
Ignacy Jan Paderewski is making its third visit to the terminal. This is the 451st delivery in the facility’s history and the 41st this year – all have occurred in 2026. The vessel is part of Orlen’s fleet, a group of eight ships used by the Polish energy giant. At 299 meters in length and 46 meters in width, it can carry approximately 110 million cubic meters of natural gas after regasification.
Geopolitical context disrupts LNG supply
The absence of Qatari supplies stems from the broader geopolitical turmoil in the Persian Gulf. The conflict that erupted after the US and Israel attacked Iran has destabilized shipping routes and contractual obligations. Polish gas imports from Qatar have been suspended since late April, forcing a greater reliance on other sources, primarily the United States and Norway.
– The gas port is a key facility for our gas security – stated the press release from Gaz-System.
Strategic role of Świnoujście terminal
The terminal currently supplies roughly 40 percent of Poland’s natural gas demand. Its annual nominal capacity stands at 8.2 billion cubic meters, which translates to over 80 cargo deliveries per year. However, due to the ongoing conflict in the Persian Gulf, the actual number of shipments in 2026 may fall short of that figure.
Orlen’s fleet, which includes vessels like Ignacy Jan Paderewski, ensures that deliveries from non-Qatari partners can continue. The company has diversified its portfolio with long-term contracts from the US and spot purchases from other global suppliers. The terminal’s ability to receive cargo from multiple origins has proven critical in maintaining security of supply during the crisis.
Despite the disruptions, the facility remains the backbone of Poland’s gas import system. Each incoming shipment helps stabilize the domestic market and reduce dependence on volatile pipeline supplies. The current situation underscores the importance of maintaining a flexible and resilient LNG infrastructure.
Źródło: wnp.pl, Fot. materiały prasowe / Gaz-System
