Polish Orlen Found Way To Supply Petroleum Products To Ukraine Bypassing Belarus

Poles have solved the "problem" of Lukashenka regime's counter-sanctions following the Lithuanians.

Orlen will transport oil products from Lithuania to Ukraine via Poland, Reuters reports. This is a forced move because of the ban by the Belarusian authorities on their transit. A major Polish oil refining company has its own refinery in Lithuania.

To "diversify its logistical capabilities" and "ensure stability of supplies to customers", Orlen bought a 100% stake in the Lithuanian company Mockavos Terminalas, and this gives it control of the only rail transhipment terminal on the Polish-Lithuanian border in Mockava. "Fuel supplies to Ukraine are guaranteed," says Daniel Obajtek, president of the Polish company.

Last year Orlen supplied 1 million tonnes of oil products to Ukraine. The company assures that the decision of the Belarusian authorities not to allow transit from Lithuania will not affect its plans for 2022.

The Belarusian authorities are imposing a ban on the transit by rail of some goods from Lithuania (oil products, chemical and mineral fertilizers) loaded at Lithuanian stations starting on February 7 as a response to the suspension of transit of Belarusian potash fertilizers.