The Croatian oil pipeline operator JANAF has publicly rejected allegations made by Hungary’s MOL Group and Slovakia’s Slovnaft regarding its pricing policies for crude oil transportation. These claims were brought to the attention of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition, which is now reviewing the situation.
In its defense, JANAF has expressed readiness to engage with European authorities to clarify the accusations and has indicated confidence that the investigations will validate its adherence to EU regulations. The company maintains that its operational practices are aligned with established EU competition rules and international sanctions.
JANAF has emphasized that its methodology for setting transportation fees is consistent across all clients, ensuring transparency in its pricing structure. This approach is designed to provide clarity to all partners regarding how transport fees are determined.
<pFurthermore, JANAF criticized MOL for making comparisons between its pipeline system and others, asserting that such evaluations overlook significant technical and operational differences. The operator contends that focusing solely on unit transport costs fails to capture the comprehensive context of its operations.
<pIn addition, JANAF has accused MOL of attempting to influence both the company and European regulatory bodies to secure continued access to discounted Russian crude oil, which MOL had leveraged for substantial profit margins in the past.
<pDespite these tensions, JANAF continues to position itself as a reliable provider of crude oil transport services within Central Europe. The company noted that MOL has arranged for nine tankers carrying non-Russian oil to be delivered to the Omisalj terminal, with four already unloaded and additional shipments scheduled for March and April.
<pJANAF reiterated its commitment to fulfilling transport agreements with Hungary and Slovakia, ensuring continuity in service delivery despite the ongoing disputes.
