Vertical Corridor transit fees to decrease by 40% for gas transport to Ukraine

New transit fees for the Vertical Corridor will take effect on October 1, significantly reducing the cost of transporting natural gas from Greece through Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldova to Ukraine. According to an analysis by ICIS, the total transport cost via Sidirokastro to Ukraine is expected to decrease by approximately 40%.

This pricing revision, agreed upon last March between regional operators and the European Commission, aims to address the high cumulative transit costs that previously limited the corridor's commercial attractiveness. The new fee structure is permanent rather than based on temporary exemptions, providing greater predictability for energy companies.

With these changes, the Vertical Corridor becomes one of the more competitive routes for supplying Kyiv, positioned between the cheaper routes via Poland and Lithuania and the more expensive routes through Italy and Austria. While the primary focus is Ukraine, the agreement allows gas to be distributed to various markets along the corridor. Greek officials have emphasized that the project is vital for diversifying supply sources and enhancing regional energy security.