Belarus aims to raise tariff for Russian oil transit by 25%

Belarus wants to raise the tariff for the transit of Russian oil by about 25% / Belta
Belarus wants to raise the tariff for the transit of Russian oil by about 25% / Belta

Belarus intends to increase the transit tariff for Russian oil by about 25% in 2021, Interfax reports with reference to a source close to the negotiations.

Belarus justifies the increase in the tariff by losing revenue in 2020 due to the reduction in oil pumping from Russia in connection with the OPEC + agreement. In addition, our country wants to reimburse the costs of building a bridge between the branches of the Druzhba oil pipeline, which is to connect the Mozyr oil refinery and Naftan. This is necessary to reduce the cost of oil transportation in case of alternative loading of the refinery from the sea.

Also, according to the source, Belarus is hinting that it may increase the "environmental tax" introduced in early 2020 for enterprises engaged in the transit of oil and oil products.