Hungarian energy group MOL and its Slovak subsidiary Slovnaft have submitted another formal complaint to the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition, alleging that Croatian pipeline operator JANAF is applying unjustified and excessive transit fees.
According to the companies, JANAF significantly raised oil transportation fees after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022 and has maintained those higher rates ever since. MOL states that the increase occurred despite a roughly 50% rise in transported oil volumes during the same period.
The companies argue that JANAF has failed to provide transparent justification for the price increases. They claim that during the four years since the war, the operator has not disclosed its cost structure or tariff methodology. MOL also highlights comparisons with other European pipeline operators, noting that the Croatian fee per unit is more than three times higher than TAL pipeline charges, and nearly twice as high as fees on the Ukrainian Druzhba pipeline, despite that infrastructure passing through a war zone. Fees in Slovakia are about four times lower, Hungary roughly three times lower, and Belarusian systems reportedly seven times cheaper.
MOL argues that JANAF holds a dominant market position for delivering crude oil to inland refineries in Hungary and Slovakia. Under EU competition rules, companies in such a position are prohibited from imposing unfair prices or trading conditions, which could be considered abuse of market power.
The Hungarian group claims the Croatian operator is taking advantage of the geopolitical situation following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, particularly due to the reduced usability of the Druzhba pipeline, to maintain inflated transit charges. Beyond pricing, MOL also accuses JANAF of creating uncertainty over shipments of Russian crude that comply with EU and US sanctions regimes, as the Croatian side has not clearly confirmed transport of legally permitted deliveries.
Earlier in March, MOL and Slovnaft already filed a complaint with the European Commission addressing these concerns. The dispute is complicating contractual relations, with negotiations remaining unresolved and MOL currently lacking a valid oil transport agreement for 2026.
In addition, planned capacity tests on the pipeline system have not yet begun, with MOL attributing the delay to actions by JANAF.
