March the 26th, 2026 – Fuel, energy and crisis appear to be three words dominating global headlines, but just how much fuel does Croatia have left?
As Sinisa Malus/Poslovni Dnevnik writes, INA has secured the supply of crude oil for its refinery in time for the upcoming period, and Croatia thankfully currently has sufficient stocks of petroleum products, INA has revealed. The geopolitical environment remains unstable, and supply chains are constantly subject to disruptions.
Stocks of the necessary fuels are at a satisfactory level, so the main challenge in Croatia is not the overall availability of fuel, but the overload of logistics capacities, revealed Goran Pleše, Operations Director of Refining and Marketing at INA.
“Despite the additional logistical capacities provided and the maintenance of sufficient stocks at terminals, sudden peaks in demand can temporarily totally empty tanks at individual fuel stations. Such situations are solely the result of physical constraints across the supply chain, and not a lack of fuel. For example, this past week, the total demand at the country’s fuel stations was as much as 200% higher compared to before the outbreak of the current crisis – this is simply absolutely enormous pressure on logistical capacities.
INA has all of the needed fuels and continuously supplies its fuel stations and wholesale customers. Specifically for blue diesel, on the eve of the price increase, demand could jump by up to 400% compared to the same period last year. Such things temporarily empty tanks at individual fuel stations, despite the additional logistical capacities. In order to achieve a balance and ensure that all customers have access to blue diesel, we allow a maximum filling of 250 litres,” Pleše explained.
Pleše also lists a scenario that could threaten the supply of the market in Croatia and as such cause further problems with its fuel capacities.
“The most adverse scenario possible would include a situation in which the ordered crude oil would just not be delivered. Given that the global energy market is all interconnected, any major change in supply, demand or transport at the global level could also affect Croatia and affect the dynamics of procurement and the stability of crude oil supply.
We mitigate this risk through continuous monitoring and presence in the market and developed professional cooperation with reliable partners. An additional potential challenge is potential disruptions in the operation of the refinery, which we strive to prevent through regular maintenance and careful planning of production cycles. It is important to note that the refinery operated continuously for 18 months before the planned shutdown in February 2026, which confirms a high level of operational reliability,” Pleše concluded.
