South American crude oil has reached the German PCK refinery in Schwedt via a Polish port, replacing Kazakh supplies blocked by Russia since May. The delivery, organized by Polish fuel distributor Unimot, helps maintain stable operations at the facility, which supplies fuel to parts of Berlin and eastern Germany. According to the Berliner Zeitung, the transport arrived in Gdańsk and was then sent onward using infrastructure operated by PERN, the Polish oil pipeline company.
The shipment compensates for the loss of Kazakh oil, which accounted for about one-fifth of the feedstock processed in Schwedt. Russia halted the flow through the Druzhba pipeline in May, forcing the refinery to seek alternative sources. Unimot’s vice president Robert Brzozowski stressed that Polish maritime and transport infrastructure plays a key role in ensuring energy security for both Poland and Germany.
A spokesman for Rosneft Deutschland confirmed the delivery, though no exact volume was disclosed. The crude is expected to allow the plant to operate at roughly 80 percent of its maximum capacity. PERN stated that it is transporting the oil from the Naftoport terminal in Gdańsk to Schwedt, using its own pipeline network.
A replacement for blocked Kazakh oil
Kazakh crude had been a vital alternative after the European Union embargoed Russian oil in 2023 following the invasion of Ukraine. The PCK refinery has not processed Russian oil since the embargo took effect. The loss of Kazakh supplies threatened to further reduce output, making the South American delivery critical for maintaining production of petrol, diesel, and heating oil.
Brandenburg’s premier Dietmar Woidke welcomed the development. – This is another proof that all involved parties are taking action to secure the plant’s operation and fuel supplies for eastern Germany in the long term – said Woidke.
Polish infrastructure as a key link
The delivery route via Gdańsk highlights the growing role of Polish ports in regional energy logistics. Unimot, a private company, arranged the seaborne transport of the crude, while state-owned PERN handled the onward pipeline transfer. The collaboration demonstrates how Poland’s investment in port and pipeline capacity is paying off in a crisis situation.
The PCK refinery, employing around 1,200 people, supplies fuel to Berlin, Brandenburg, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. It also produces approximately 2 million tonnes of fuel annually for western Poland. The plant’s long-term viability has been a political concern in Germany, with officials in Berlin and Brandenburg pushing for diversified supply routes.
Long-term security for the Schwedt refinery
While the current delivery provides short-term relief, the question of permanent alternative supplies remains. Woidke noted that the Schwedt facility needs guaranteed feedstock from multiple sources to avoid reliance on any single pipeline. The South American crude is one option, but discussions continue about imports from other regions and potential upgrades to the refinery to process different grades of oil.
The Russian blockade of the Druzhba pipeline has also affected other European refineries, though Schwedt was hit hardest due to its historical dependence on Russian crude via that route. Poland’s ability to redirect oil through its ports and pipelines has made it an unexpected but crucial partner for Germany in navigating the energy crisis.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. PAP/EPA/CLEMENS BILAN
