The crude oil shipment destined for MOL Group is already being loaded at the state-owned Janaf’s Omišalj terminal, the Croatian oil company announced on Wednesday, per a report from HVG. According to the statement, this will not be the only shipment, as seven more tankers will arrive by the beginning of April.
Janaf emphasized in its statement that it is not Russian crude oil that is being supplied to Hungarians, and yet, the company is ready to meet the entire annual demand of refineries in both Slovakia and Hungary.
This is crucial, as the Croatian and Hungarian governments have been arguing for months about whether the Adria oil pipeline can meet Hungary’s full needs, which MOL has stated it cannot. In addition, the Hungarian government has insisted that Russian oil be delivered, as they say their exemption from Russian sanctions is valid for oil transported by sea as well as land.
Croatia, however, has insisted that it can fully relieve the geographical limitations Hungary has cited in the past for its continued reliance on Russian energy. “The Adriatic pipeline is reliable, safe, cost-competitive, and has sufficient capacity to meet the needs of our Hungarian and Slovak friends. It will help to distance Europe from Russian energy pressure. It was built for this purpose. And it still serves this purpose today. Croatia is ready to act responsibly and constructively – fully within the framework of EU and OFAC regulations – to protect security of supply,” Croatian Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar posted to X earlier this month, although Hungary has also maintained it must use only Russian energy to keep utility prices low.
Back on Jan. 27, Russia bombed the Friendship oil pipeline in Ukraine, and supplies to Hungary and Slovakia have not resumed since, with the Hungarian government calling foul, as they say repairs have been made and the pipeline is fully operational. Instead, Hungary has said Kyiv is creating an energy crisis to hurt Fidesz ahead of the country’s April election. Ukraine has also since attacked energy infrastructure for the pipeline in Russia as well.
Due to the suspension of the Friendship pipeline, Hungary and Slovakia blocked the 20th sanctions package against Russia in Brussels and also stated they will not take part in the joint €90 billion loan for Ukraine.
In the meantime, Reuters has reported that shipments could begin via the Friendship pipeline as early as today, Feb. 26.
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