Montenegro’s Hydrocarbons Administration has launched a second tender valued at approximately €11 million for the procurement of mandatory oil reserves, specifically targeting 19.6 million litres of Eurodiesel. This fuel is intended for storage at the Port of Bar’s oil terminal. The renewed tender follows the cancellation of an earlier attempt in January, where the sole bid from Jugopetrol was found non-compliant. The new tender is set to remain open until March 13, 2026, and is being expedited to align with European Union mandates regarding compulsory fuel reserves, crucial for advancing EU accession negotiations in the energy sector.
A significant aspect of this tender is the strict requirement that suppliers must ensure the Eurodiesel does not originate from Russian crude oil. Additionally, bidders must confirm that their supply chains are free from any entities under sanctions imposed by Montenegro, the United Nations, the European Union, the United States, or the United Kingdom. To verify compliance with these stipulations, bidders are required to submit documentation including Safety Data Sheets and certificates of quantity and quality issued at the loading port.
The timeline for fuel delivery has been adjusted from April to June 2026. Scoring incentives will favor suppliers who can deliver within the first ten days of June, with points decreasing for later deliveries throughout the month.
Due to current limitations in Montenegro’s state-owned storage facilities at Montenegro Bonus, the Eurodiesel will initially be stored at Jugopetrol’s facilities, operated by the Greek Hellenic Group. A contract signed in December allows for termination if conditions regarding reserve receipt are not met.
This tender process is part of Montenegro’s broader legal reforms following the adoption of the Law on Security of Supply of Petroleum Products in December 2024. This law mandates mandatory oil reserves and is vital for Montenegro’s compliance with EU accession requirements. Private companies like Jugopetrol, Ina Crna Gora, and Petrol Crna Gora have already secured their share of reserve volumes, while state procurement efforts continue.
The insistence on a non-Russian origin for fuel comes amid shifting global energy supply dynamics and geopolitical tensions. Notably, around this time, Russia has enacted a temporary ban on fuel exports until July 2026, complicating efforts to source non-Russian diesel in international markets.
