Alkagesta Secures Access to NATO CEPS for Jet Fuel and SAF Supply

Commodity trading enterprise Alkagesta has reportedly secured access to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's Central Europe Pipeline System (CEPS), enabling it to supply jet fuel to major aviation hubs across Europe. This development marks the company's entry into inland logistics for jet fuel distribution, as highlighted by Malta Today and Ccarbon Info on February 19, 2026.

According to Malta Today, this agreement will allow Alkagesta to deliver aviation fuel to prominent airports in Northwest Europe, including facilities in Brussels and Frankfurt-am-Main. The report from Bunker Market on the same date indicated that this move signifies Alkagesta's evolution into a broader energy sector player. Energy Intelligence further corroborated on February 20, 2026, that the Malta-based firm was granted this crucial pipeline access.

The CEPS network, which spans approximately 5,300 kilometres across Northwest Europe, was established in the late 1950s primarily to facilitate the swift movement of petroleum for military purposes among NATO member states, Malta Today noted. While its foundational role was military, commercial entities currently account for roughly 90% of the pipeline's activity, distributing fuel to leading European airports.

Companies seeking commercial access to the CEPS must undergo a stringent approval process, including enhanced due diligence, due to the system's strategic importance. This process ensures only select, vetted operators can utilise the network, as reported by Malta Today. This access is vital for efficiently moving fuel across the continent.

A significant aspect of Alkagesta's new arrangement is its commitment to supplying sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Malta Today stated that all fuel delivered by Alkagesta to airlines through this system would incorporate a 2% SAF blend. This aligns with the European Union's target of achieving 2% SAF usage by 2025, and is expected to assist European airlines in meeting these regulatory requirements and avoiding potential penalties for non-compliance.

Alkagesta's CEO, Orkhan Rustamov, expressed enthusiasm for the deal, noting that it empowers the company to provide high-quality, sustainable fuel to numerous airlines across Northwest Europe and represents a pivotal chapter in its capacity to deliver critical strategic supplies throughout the continent, according to Malta Today. This achievement comes less than a decade after the company's founding, underscoring its consistent growth within the commodities and logistics sectors.

Market context indicates that enhancing the CEPS network's capabilities has gained increased urgency following geopolitical events, such as the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. For commodity, energy, bunkering, and shipping stakeholders, Alkagesta's expanded role signals a diversification in fuel supply chains and a growing emphasis on inland distribution infrastructure for both conventional and sustainable aviation fuels. This development could influence regional fuel pricing, logistics planning, and the broader transition towards decarbonisation within the aviation sector, particularly concerning the reliable supply of SAF to landlocked or pipeline-dependent facilities.