Croatian pipeline operator JANAF is required to allow the transit of Russian seaborne oil to Hungary and Slovakia, as both countries have exemptions from EU sanctions, according to the MOL Group. Following the suspension of the Druzhba pipeline on January 27, Hungary and Slovakia are seeking alternative oil supplies and have increased tanker shipments from various sources, including Russia.
While Croatia has shown willingness to assist, it has hesitated to permit Russian crude through the JANAF pipeline. MOL and its Slovak subsidiary Slovnaft emphasized the importance of ensuring oil supply security in Central and Eastern Europe, urging Croatia to facilitate these shipments. A Croatian minister reiterated the country’s readiness to supply oil, but not of Russian origin.
Hungary and Slovakia remain the last EU nations relying on Russian pipeline oil, valuing its lower cost despite ongoing tensions due to the Ukraine conflict. Both countries have historically avoided using the JANAF pipeline due to higher fees and concerns about capacity. MOL announced that Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia, and the European Commission will conduct tests to assess the JANAF pipeline’s capacity, aiming for clarity on its capabilities.
