Croatia ready to secure oil supply to Hungary and Slovakia through Adriatic pipeline

Omisalj, Krk (Photo: Wakowlk/CC BY-SA 3.0)

Croatia is fully prepared to guarantee oil supply to both Hungary and Slovakia through the Adriatic Oil Pipeline, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has confirmed.

Speaking at the opening of a Croatian Government session on Thursday, Plenković firmly rejected claims made by representatives of the Hungarian government that the Adriatic pipeline is secondary and unreliable.

The Prime Minister stressed that the Jadranski naftovod (JANAF) has the full capacity to ensure uninterrupted oil supply to both countries.

He highlighted that the combined annual capacity of MOL’s refineries in Hungary and Slovakia stands at 14 million tonnes, while the Adriatic Oil Pipeline is capable of transporting 15 million tonnes per year.

“It can ensure absolutely all the oil required for the energy security of both Hungary and Slovakia. The pipeline is by no means secondary, by its capacity it can serve as the primary oil route for both countries,” Plenković said.

Plenković dismissed suggestions that the pipeline is unreliable, stating that it could be the sole supply route if necessary and remains fully dependable.

Talks are ongoing between JANAF representatives, Croatian ministries, officials from Hungary and Slovakia, and the European Commission. The Prime Minister noted that transport prices are fully aligned with market rates.

“The whole purpose of the Adriatic Oil Pipeline is to assist refineries in securing supply, whether for Serbia, Hungary or Slovakia,” he added.

Croatia will continue delivering non-Russian oil in accordance with current European Union and United States sanctions regimes targeting Russian oil exports.

Plenković confirmed that MOL has ordered additional tankers for the coming period. These shipments will arrive at Omišalj on the island of Krk before being transported onwards to Hungary.

Croatia’s role, he said, is that of a “neighbour, partner and friend” committed to safeguarding energy security and the smooth functioning of the Hungarian and Slovak economies.

The remarks come amid ongoing disruption to the Druzhba pipeline, which traditionally carries Russian oil through Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia.

The pipeline has been damaged during wartime activities and is currently not operational.

Plenković made the comments in the context of his recent visit to Kyiv, marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s second aggression against Ukraine, where he conveyed Croatia’s position to Ukrainian officials and European partners during a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing.