Croatian oil pipeline operator JANAF has pushed back against accusations from Hungary’s MOL regarding allegedly excessive transit charges, arguing that the real difference in oil costs stems from the price gap between Russian and other crude supplies rather than transport fees.
The dispute intensified after MOL publicly stated that the Croatian pipeline operator charges significantly higher fees than comparable routes in Europe. According to the Hungarian company, transit costs through JANAF are roughly three times higher than those on the TAL pipeline system connecting Italy, Germany, and Austria, and about 50% higher than fees applied on the Ukrainian route.
In response, JANAF released a detailed statement disputing the comparison. The company argued that focusing on the price of transport per ton per 100 kilometers is misleading because the JANAF pipeline is substantially shorter than Russia’s Druzhba pipeline network. For buyers, the relevant cost is the total transport price per ton of oil delivered to its final destination rather than the distance the crude travels through the pipeline.
Using that measure, JANAF claims its route is actually far more competitive. The company stated that transporting crude via its system is roughly three times cheaper per ton than shipments delivered through the Druzhba pipeline, describing this as the only meaningful market comparison.
The Croatian operator also emphasized that transportation costs represent only a small portion of the overall price of crude oil. The company noted that Russian crude currently sells at roughly a 30% discount compared with non-Russian grades, which it says is the primary factor behind the price differences highlighted by MOL.
JANAF further stressed its role in maintaining regional supply security. The operator pointed out that eight tankers carrying non-Russian crude have recently been received to maintain continuous deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia. According to the company, the system remains fully operational and capable of handling alternative supply routes when needed.
In closing, JANAF questioned whether the ongoing criticism reflects genuine concerns about supply security or simply MOL’s preference for importing discounted Russian oil. The Croatian company insisted that its infrastructure is functioning reliably and that diversification of supply through its system remains a viable option for the region.
