Ukrtransnafta, the Ukrainian pipeline operator, is preparing to lift the tariff for oil transit along the Druzhba pipeline that carries crude from Russia toward Central Europe. Reports from Kommersant indicate that the planned increase would take effect on April 1 and would set the charge at about €27.2 per tonne for oil moving through Druzhba to Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. This move comes after a year in which tariff tweaks have become a recurring instrument in Ukraine’s energy and transit policy, reflecting broader strategic considerations about pipeline governance, cross-border trade, and the evolving economics of Russia’s oil deliveries to European markets. (Kommersant)
The proposed rate would mark a second adjustment in 2023, following a previous raise that pushed tariffs up by 18.3 percent to €13.6 per tonne. The pattern of successive increases underscores Kyiv’s intent to secure favorable terms for transit while balancing the interests of neighboring EU economies that rely on Druzhba flows for supplies. Observers note that, despite the higher transit costs, Druzhba remains a financially attractive route for several Eastern European clients within the European Union, given its relative reliability and logistical convenience compared with other transit options. (Kommersant)
Analysts point out that the route through Ukraine continues to offer a competitive transit corridor for crude destined for Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, even as costs rise. European buyers have shown willingness to accommodate Kyiv’s terms, in part due to the political and strategic importance of maintaining steady, diversified supply lines in the region. This resilience is part of a broader conversation about European energy security, pipeline coordination, and the role of long-standing transit agreements in shaping regional markets. (Kommersant)
Industry voices emphasize that the economics of the Druzhba corridor involve not only per-tonne tolls but also the reliability of shipments, payment terms, and contractual flexibility. In this context, Ukraine has linked tariff levels to ongoing negotiations and payment practices, aiming to ensure continued throughput while preserving the financial viability of the pipeline’s operation. The evolving tariff framework appears to reflect a negotiation environment where both supplier and consumer countries monitor state-backed pipelines as essential infrastructure. (Kommersant)
Meanwhile, a report from Kommersant cites a senior industry source who notes that non-payment issues can disrupt flows and trigger temporary stoppages, as observed when shipments toward Poland were halted due to unsettled accounts. The situation highlights the susceptibility of cross-border energy trade to financial and political frictions, even in a corridor traditionally viewed as stable. Stakeholders continue to monitor developments closely, recognizing that tariff policy serves as a key lever in coordinating regional transit and sustaining the Druzhba pipeline’s role in meeting European demand for crude. (Kommersant)