Šahmanović’s Ministry to Portal ETV: Fuel reserves sufficient for two months, fuel available at stations for another two to three days

Amid protests by freight transporters and blockades at border crossings, concerns have emerged in the public that Montenegro could run out of fuel. The Ministry of Energy and Mining, headed by Admir Šahmanović, told Portal ETV that there is no reason for panic and that the country’s fuel supply and energy stability are fully secured.

- If we speak exclusively about the quantities currently available at petrol stations, they are on average sufficient for two to three days of regular operations, depending on consumption. However, when we talk about total fuel quantities in Montenegro, including commercial and strategic reserves, these are stocks that allow for nearly two months of normal market functioning - the Ministry told Portal ETV.

According to them, it is important for citizens to know that there is enough fuel in the country, both in the commercial stocks of oil companies and in strategic reserves, which together ensure continuity of supply over a longer period.

- There are currently sufficient quantities of fuel in Montenegro, both in commercial stocks and in strategic reserves, which ensure stable market supply even over an extended period - the Ministry of Energy said in a statement to Portal ETV.

FUEL STOCKS AT PETROL STATIONS DO NOT REFLECT THE REAL SITUATION

They note that it is often incorrectly interpreted in the public that, under the current circumstances, operational fuel stocks at petrol stations could be depleted within a few days.

However, as explained by this government department, this does not mean that there is no fuel available; rather, it is a logistical challenge in delivery caused by the current blockades at border crossings, which the competent authorities are addressing in cooperation with oil companies.

STRATEGIC RESERVES – THE KEY TO ENERGY SECURITY

As they emphasized to Portal ETV in the context of the newly arisen situation, the existence of oil reserves is of exceptionally great importance in crisis and emergency situations, which may arise due to supply disruptions caused by extraordinary circumstances.

Strategic reserves of petroleum products represent one of the key pillars of supply security and, consequently, an important element of national security for every state.

- Montenegro has begun the process of forming strategic reserves of petroleum products in line with international and European standards, according to which the state is obliged to ensure reserves covering 90 days of average, that is, normal consumption. During 2025, around 40 percent of the prescribed quantities were formed, which corresponds to stocks sufficient for approximately one and a half months of normal market functioning - the Ministry of Energy said.

They added that activities to procure the remaining quantities will continue and that they expect the process to be completed by the end of 2027.

THIS IS NOT THE MOMENT TO ACTIVATE STRATEGIC RESERVES

- Strategic reserves are intended for serious disruptions caused by crisis situations and are not activated in circumstances that can be resolved through regular market and institutional mechanisms - the Ministry of Energy and Mining stated in its response to Portal ETV.

In the context of current developments and potential supply challenges due to blockades at border crossings, it is important to stress, they added, that this is not the moment to activate and release strategic reserves. Such reserves are intended for serious disruptions caused by crisis situations, while the current situation is being resolved through regular market mechanisms and institutional coordination.

INSTITUTIONS AND OIL COMPANIES ARE MONITORING SITUATION

Namely, there are currently sufficient quantities of commercial stocks held by oil companies in Montenegro, which can be placed on the market to ensure uninterrupted supply. Competent institutions, in cooperation with oil companies, are monitoring the situation in a coordinated manner and taking measures to overcome existing logistical challenges and prevent disruptions in supply.

- As already emphasized, the fact that operational capacities at petrol stations at a given moment are reduced to quantities sufficient for a few days of regular operations does not mean that there is no fuel in Montenegro, nor that there is any reason for panic. Existing reserves, both commercial and strategic, together with the active engagement of the competent authorities, represent a strong guarantee of market stability and security of supply - the Ministry of Energy said in its statement to Portal ETV.