Thursday marks another day when Orlen increased fuel prices at its stations. Although today’s increase for diesel amounts to 8 groszy per liter, over the course of the entire week the rise is approaching 1 PLN. Even liberal media outlets have noticed the problem.
Since Saturday, an operation carried out by Israel and the United States targeting Iran has been underway. As a result of the attacks, Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Mohammad Pakpour, and influential security adviser Ali Shamkhani were killed.
Iran responded with attacks on Israel and on U.S. military targets in the Persian Gulf states. Explosions have been heard in many countries across the Middle East.
The Iran-controlled Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, is one of the most important hubs of global trade. After Saturday’s events, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) announced that no ships would be allowed to enter the area. As a result, hundreds of tankers were stopped on both sides of the strait. It is estimated that between roughly 20 and 33 percent of the world’s seaborne crude oil trade passes through this route, along with a significant share of global natural gas shipments. For Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq, it is the only maritime route enabling the export of oil.
Since Monday, the Polish opposition – including politicians from Law and Justice (PiS) – has been warning that the tense situation in the Middle East could lead to rising fuel prices in Poland. And prices are indeed increasing.
However, on Tuesday these statements – including those from Law and Justice (PiS) – were countered by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who stated that “there is absolutely no problem when it comes to fuel reserves in Poland. (…) The war has no direct impact on deliveries of crude oil and other fuels to Poland.”
“The entire structure of oil deliveries to Orlen and to Poland is currently completely secure and there is no talk of any disruptions whatsoever, even the smallest ones. (…) The situation is absolutely stable, there is not the slightest reason for concern when it comes to supplies and reserves,” he assured.
Tusk’s Words Without Coverage?
On the same day, Tusk said that “just in case” Orlen would use financial tools – including those related to margins – so that potential spikes in global oil prices would not “massively” translate into higher fuel prices in Poland. “Of course we cannot guarantee that prices will remain untouched during this time,” the head of government argued.
However, shortly after the prime minister’s statement, Orlen’s stock market price fell significantly, while prices at fuel stations rose sharply. Moreover, according to numerous reports circulating in the public sphere, many stations are experiencing fuel shortages.
Compared to Wednesday, Orlen has again raised prices at its stations. This time, the price of diesel increased by 8 groszy. Over the course of the entire week, however, the increase amounts to nearly 1 PLN (95 groszy) per liter.
At the same time, petrol 95 has risen by 36 groszy during the same period.
On European markets, the price of a ton of diesel has exceeded 1,050 dollars, reaching its highest level since November 2022. At the same time, Brent crude oil is approaching the 85-dollar-per-barrel threshold – currently costing around 84 dollars, which represents a 2 percent increase.
Liberal Media Also See the Problem
The situation is being closely followed by social media users, as well as by media outlets that usually support the governing camp.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if fuel soon becomes 2-3 PLN more expensive. And I’m not surprised that with such rapid increases people are storming fuel stations. Even TVN channels are reporting on the horrendous price hikes,” noted Daniel Obajtek, a Member of the European Parliament from Law and Justice (PiS).
The head of publishers at TV Republika, Jarosław Olechowski, posted a video on the X platform, adding the comment: “Poland is starting to run out of fuel! Prices of what is still available are skyrocketing.”