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Schwedt Refinery Confronts Sanctions Deadline as Germany Seeks U.S. Waiver

Supplier withdrawals tied to long lead times now threaten near-term fuel security.

Overview

  • The U.S. waiver shielding Rosneft’s German subsidiaries—and thus PCK Schwedt, 54% owned via those units under federal trusteeship—expires on 29 April, risking a halt to routine contracting and financing.
  • The German government says it is in very close, constructive talks with U.S. authorities to secure a sanctions-compliant license, as Brandenburg’s taskforce urged swift, durable solutions.
  • PCK’s works council and management report counterparties are declining new deals because crude purchases are arranged weeks to months in advance, warning preparations to idle the plant may be required.
  • A shutdown would jeopardize fuel supplies for parts of Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and western Poland, including jet fuel for Berlin Brandenburg Airport.
  • Contingency paths under discussion include an extended trust regime, expropriation or a sale to new investors, with reported Polish interest dependent on U.S. sanctions clearance and legal certainty.