US court confirms MOL Group win, raising Croatia compensation to about $286 million

A federal court in Washington has reaffirmed an earlier ruling supporting MOL Group, ordering Croatia to pay a substantially higher compensation amount after a long-running international legal dispute. The decision matters for investors and counterparties because it closes the remaining route for challenging the award within the US judicial system.

Court rejects Croatia’s objections and confirms the arbitration award

The court dismissed Croatia’s objections and confirmed that the original arbitration award remains valid. The dispute traces back to a prior arbitration ruling that had already been contested without success, setting the stage for further litigation over enforcement and the finality of the award.

Compensation rises as interest and arbitration costs accumulate

Over time, the financial obligation increased steadily due to accumulated interest and arbitration-related costs. The amount was initially set at approximately $183.9 million in 2022, then rose progressively to around $200 million, then $236 million, and has now reached approximately $286 million.

US appeal dismissed in 2025; legal options exhausted

Croatia previously sought to overturn the decision, but its appeal was dismissed in 2025 by the same court. With all legal avenues in the United States judicial system now exhausted, the ruling stands as definitively upheld.

Budget funding expected in Zagreb

Authorities in Zagreb have said that payment would be covered from the state budget following the conclusion of the legal process.