EU to review MOL complaint against Janaf monopoly claims

The European Commission confirmed that it has received a complaint from MOL and its Slovak subsidiary Slovnaft alleging that the Adriatic pipeline (Janaf) is abusing its monopoly position, adding that the complaint will be assessed under standard procedures.

Hungary's MOL Group and Slovnaft filed a formal complaint with the Commission's Directorate-General for Competition, claiming Janaf holds a monopoly over seaborne oil supplies to Hungarian and Slovak refineries and is preventing the transport of Russian crude through its system, CE Report quotes HINA.

MOL also alleges that since 2022, Janaf has charged three to four times the fair market price for transport.

MOL had previously argued that Janaf lacked sufficient capacity to supply Hungary and Slovakia, but after Russian oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline were halted, non-Russian crude was delivered via Janaf in adequate volumes.

MOL cites a temporary exemption granted in 2022 under the EU's sixth sanctions package, which allowed landlocked member states to continue importing Russian oil by sea if pipeline supply was unavailable.

The exemption was intended as temporary, but Hungary maintains it applies automatically and without time limit.

Janaf rejected the allegations, saying it provides crude transport services to all users under equal conditions and that supply to Hungary and Slovakia is not at risk. It noted that MOL itself arranged eight tankers carrying non-Russian oil to the Omišalj terminal.

Janaf added that any acceptance of Russian oil shipments is considered strictly in line with EU and international sanctions, in consultation with relevant authorities.

foto Admir Buljubašić