Belarus Raises Oil Transport Charges as Druzhba Throughput Shrinks

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The Belarusian section of the Druzhba pipeline is facing higher pumping costs after a pronounced drop in transit volumes and mounting operational expenses. This shift, described by a leading energy market analyst, points to a broader struggle over how to manage tariffs as volumes fall and the cost per ton climbs.

According to Igor Yushkov, a prominent analyst with the National Energy Security Fund, the amount of oil moving through Belarus has dropped sharply. He notes that monthly transit has fallen to roughly 20 thousand tons, a level that makes each additional ton more expensive to move. As a consequence, Belarus is compelled to raise prices to cover the growing unit costs, Yushkov explains.

The analyst draws attention to the northern leg of the Druzhba pipeline, the conduit most directly serving Poland and Germany. He points out that Germany has generally refused Russian oil, while Poland’s contractual supply has dwindled as a result of contract expirations. This combination of shrinking demand and stretched contractual commitments has stressed the economics of the Belarusian route.

Yushkov adds that the current pipeline segment is used in oil transit through Kazakhstan, with pumping operations turning on only intermittently. This intermittent activity underscores the unstable throughput on the northern branch and the resulting pressure on tariff structures to cover fixed costs and maintenance while shipments remain sparse.

Industry observers noted a related development involving the Belarusian operator overseeing the Druzhba line. At the end of May, Gomeltransnafta Druzhba allegedly approached Transneft with a proposal to lift tariffs. If accepted, the plan would raise the cost of transporting Russian oil by approximately 84 percent starting July 1, a move that could tighten margins for shippers and ripple through refining markets along the route. Such tariff discussions reflect a longer trend of tariff realignment in response to volumes, logistics, and geopolitical shifts affecting oil flows across the region. This information has been reported by multiple trade outlets, with statements attributed to industry insiders and market analysts who monitor the Druzhba system and its operators.

Market watchers emphasize that the northern branch’s performance remains a key indicator of regional supply dynamics. Any sustained reduction in throughput tends to push transport costs higher, which in turn can influence pricing for customers who rely on this corridor for refined products or crude imports. The evolving tariff landscape may also affect corridor reliability and planning for midstream players, refineries, and national energy strategies across Europe and North America. The dialogue around tariffs illustrates how a single pipeline segment can become a focal point for wider questions about energy security, pricing transparency, and the governance of cross-border energy infrastructure. Analysts caution that while tariff changes aim to balance costs, they can introduce volatility for buyers and sellers who depend on stable, predictable transport costs on long-term contracts. The situation remains under close watch by market participants who track volume metrics, tariff proposals, and the operational tempo of the Belarussian Druzhba corridor. Attribution: information compiled from industry reports and market commentary on the Druzhba system, with quotations and context provided by energy policy researchers and trade press.

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