A legal challenge has been filed within Serbia’s public procurement process affecting the Serbia–Hungary oil pipeline, according to information on the Public Procurement Portal. The request for legal protection was submitted shortly after state-owned operator Transnafta announced selected companies for construction works and technical supervision services. The most recent objection is directed at the contract covering expert supervision of the project. Until a ruling is issued by the Commission for Protection of Rights in Public Procurement Procedures, the complaint details and the applicant’s identity remain officially undisclosed.
Supervision contract under review
Earlier this month, Transnafta selected a consortium to carry out supervision duties under a contract valued at approximately €4.7 million, including VAT. The winning group includes Project Biro Utiber, SGS, Petrol Projekt, and Preventiva 012, which will provide technical oversight for pipeline implementation. Procurement records dated 12 May show that two bids were submitted for the supervision contract. The competing bid was submitted by a consortium led by Bureau Veritas Serbia, part of the French engineering and certification group Bureau Veritas.
While it is widely assumed that the unsuccessful bidder may have initiated the appeal, official confirmation will be available only after the regulatory authority publishes its decision. Until then, the portal indicates that specific information about the complaint and applicant has not been released.
Main construction contract already awarded
Alongside the supervision procurement, Transnafta has already awarded the main construction contract for the Serbia–Hungary oil pipeline. The contract was granted to a consortium led by MVM Juzna Bačka with a total value of €123.5 million, excluding VAT. Under the agreement, MVM Juzna Bačka is responsible for approximately 43% of the project scope. This includes procurement of materials and equipment, engineering works, electrical installations, automation systems, telecommunications infrastructure, and selected civil and mechanical construction activities.
The legal dispute adds uncertainty to the project timeline, with further progress potentially linked to outcomes from the procurement review process and any subsequent administrative decisions.
