The Montenegrin Hydrocarbons Administration plans to launch an international tender worth 11 million euros by the end of 2025 to purchase diesel fuel for the country’s mandatory oil reserves. The tender is part of Montenegro’s 2025 national plan to establish and maintain emergency fuel stockpiles in accordance with new EU-aligned legislation, which requires the country to maintain reserves equivalent to three months of consumption in the event of supply disruptions.
The administration aims to procure between 14,000 and 17,000 tons of diesel next year. The final volume will depend on market conditions, available storage capacity, and the level of state funding.
To finance the purchases, the government introduced a fuel surcharge of 0.03 euros per liter in February. This levy will remain in effect until 2029, after which it will be reduced to 0.02 euros per liter to cover storage and maintenance costs. Between 11 February and 16 September, the surcharge generated 8.45 million euros, with total revenue expected to reach around 11 million euros by year’s end. The Hydrocarbons Administration can proceed with the tender only once the government formally approves and allocates the full 11 million euros to its budget line.
According to current regulations, the call for bids must be published before the end of 2025. Between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026, the administration is required to secure at least half of the total strategic reserve target of 112,000 tons. The remaining quantity will be supplied by the country’s three largest fuel importers: Jugopetrol, owned by Greece’s Helleniq Energy; INA CG, part of Croatia’s INA Group; and Petrol CG, a subsidiary of Slovenia’s Petrol. Government officials have confirmed that two of these companies have already fulfilled their obligations, while the third is expected to do so soon.
Although storage facilities in the port city of Bar are designated as the central hub for the national reserves, they are not expected to become operational before the end of 2026 due to ongoing reconstruction. Until then, Montenegro’s strategic diesel reserves will be stored abroad under multi-year leasing contracts.
