Poland’s LNG terminal in Świnoujście is experiencing an unprecedented wave of deliveries, with three tankers scheduled to unload within just five days. The last time such congestion occurred was earlier this year, but now all shipments come from the United States due to the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The express mini-series began on June 5 when the Clean Mistral arrived at the terminal. Two days later, the Święta Barbara delivered its cargo. Currently, the Venture Iberia is waiting to enter the port. This means a vessel every two days – practically the fastest pace at which the facility can receive liquefied natural gas.
All three deliveries originate from the United States. The previous record, also three ships in five days, involved one Qatari cargo. Now, with the Strait of Hormuz closed due to the conflict between Israel, the US and Iran, supplies from Qatar are completely suspended.
Record pace of operations
The terminal’s schedule appears to be deliberately compressed. Shipping operators prioritized quick discharge so their vessels could return to lucrative transatlantic routes. The regasification process itself takes time, and berthing slots must be carefully coordinated to avoid delays.
Once the Venture Iberia completes its operation – it will be the 446th delivery in the terminal’s history and the 36th this year – the port is expected to gain some breathing room. The next scheduled arrival is June 15.
US supply dominates amid geopolitical tensions
The current deliveries highlight Poland’s growing reliance on American LNG. Since the outbreak of the Iran crisis and the subsequent closure of the Hormuz strait, the country has lost access to Qatari gas. The US has stepped in as the primary alternative supplier, ensuring stable flows to the Polish grid.
Favorable Atlantic crossing conditions may have helped the tankers arrive ahead of schedule, further compressing the delivery window. Market observers note that such rapid succession of shipments tests the terminal’s operational capacity to its limits.
Strategic importance of the terminal
Opened over a decade ago, the Świnoujście LNG terminal is a key element of Poland’s energy security infrastructure. It can handle more than 80 cargoes annually, equivalent to approximately 8.3 billion cubic meters of natural gas after regasification. The current surge demonstrates its ability to absorb high-volume deliveries under pressure.
The facility’s role has become even more critical as Europe seeks to diversify away from Russian pipeline gas. Poland’s terminal, combined with the Baltic Pipe and interconnectors, provides a robust buffer against supply disruptions.
Źródło: wnp.pl, Fot. Gaz-System/Materiały prasowe
