After obtaining permits and completing infrastructure work at the Blažuj oil terminal, 42 million liters of oil and gasoline were transported by rail from the Ploče terminal. In the past period, the level crossing and industrial track were repaired, and a fuel supplier for a functional test was selected through public procurement.
Oil independence for Bosnia and Herzegovina must be a priority, said Federal Minister of Energy and Mining Vedran Lakić. He emphasized that this will happen when the energy sector is supported by domestic policies and not the subject of politics.
VEDRAN LAKIĆ, Federal Minister of Energy and Mining
“We must take care of Bosnia and Herzegovina and our needs and interests. This must be energy independence. We often see that energy is politicized, which is completely opposite to the needs of our economy and citizens. Politics must support the development of BiH’s energy potential, and in no way demand political concessions.”
Connecting the terminals in Ploče and Blažuj ensures safe transport of energy products and strengthens the capacity for mandatory reserves in accordance with European Union directives.
DAMIR KRESO, President of the Management Board of the Terminals of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
“The first large quantities of petroleum products have been imported, which is the basis for economic development and stable supply of the market with petroleum products. We are now in the phase of forming the first large reserves at the Blažuj terminal. This will be a prerequisite for forming other reserves that are imported according to the European Community directive.”
For the first time in more than 30 years, the FBiH has received significant quantities of petroleum reserves. What is more important is the fact that these quantities of petroleum were brought via the Ploče-Sarajevo railway line.
NAMIR MAHMUTOVIĆ, Freight and Passenger Transport Sector, FBiH Railways
“With this first transport, the Railways of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina have shown that they are a reliable and strategic partner in this critical energy sector of BiH. Of course, the revenues we will generate are significant.”
Economists believe that this is a step in the right direction, but that the real challenges are yet to come. Especially with the Southern Interconnection project ahead of us.
ADISA OMERBEGOVIĆ-ARAPOVIĆ, Full Professor at the International Burch University
“What is important to emphasize is that this signing means one step for Bosnia and Herzegovina towards long-term independence when it comes to geopolitical challenges from Russia. The next thing is to achieve independence from Russian influence when it comes to gas. That is a major political challenge, and that is the so-called Southern Interconnection.”
The Blažuj Oil Terminal, with a capacity of 42 million liters, is now the central point of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s oil terminal system, along with Živinice, Bihać and Mostar. This is a strategic project that puts BiH back on the energy map of the region because it allows for the storage and distribution of domestic reserves, instead of relying on imports and paying for private storage capacities, Federalna writes.
