NACE 49.5 – Transport via Pipeline | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 49.5 covers the transport of liquids, gases and other substances through pipelines. The group includes the operation, monitoring and maintenance of pipeline infrastructure — a highly specialised area with significant overlap with utility sector contracting entities in the energy industry.

Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: January 2026

What does NACE 49.5 cover?

NACE 49.5 (Transport via pipeline) classifies undertakings and operators that move substances of all kinds via stationary pipeline networks — an infrastructure segment dominated by state and quasi-state contracting authorities.

Group 49.5 forms a single class within Division 49 (Land transport):

Typical providers include long-distance gas and oil companies, water utilities with cross-regional pipeline networks and operators of industrial specialist pipelines. These frequently act as utility sector contracting entities within the meaning of Directive 2014/25/EU.

Public Tenders: Activities under NACE 49.5

Pipeline operation and infrastructure is a niche area in public procurement — characterised by few but high-volume contracts and a close link to utility sector procurement law.

Typical types of contract

• Construction and maintenance of pipelines: New construction of gas or oil pipelines, refurbishment of existing pipeline sections, corrosion protection
• Pigging and inspection services: Internal inspections of pipeline systems, leak detection, condition assessment
• Compressor stations and regulating facilities: Maintenance, inspection and renewal of pumping stations, pressure regulating stations and measuring points
• Emergency planning and incident services: Standby and rectification contracts for pipeline operators
• Cathodic corrosion protection: Electrotechnical protection measures for buried metal pipelines
• SCADA systems and remote monitoring: Planning, supply and maintenance of remote monitoring systems for pipeline networks

Thresholds and procedure types

As operators of gas and oil pipeline networks are typically utility sector contracting entities under Directive 2014/25/EU, higher thresholds apply: EUR 443,000 for supply and service contracts, EUR 5,538,000 for works contracts (as of 2024/2025). Utility sector contracting entities have greater flexibility in procedure choice and may use the negotiated procedure with prior call for competition.

Relevant CPV codes for NACE 49.5

The CPV system for pipeline transport and infrastructure is closely linked to pipeline construction and the utility companies.

Current tenders with these CPV codes can be found on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) as well as on national procurement platforms.

For whom is NACE 49.5 relevant in public procurement?

Public contracting authorities

The pipeline transport market is dominated by a manageable number of large contracting authorities. In Austria, these are primarily Gas Connect Austria GmbH and Trans Austria Gasleitung GmbH as transmission system operators, together with Österreichische Mineralölverwaltung (OMV). In Germany, operators such as Open Grid Europe, Gascade and Ontras act as utility sector contracting entities. Water utility associations with cross-regional pipeline networks supplement the contracting authority circle.

Companies and bidders

Undertakings in the NACE 49.5 area and their supply industries typically have to provide the following evidence for tenders:

• Technical capacity: Evidence of reference projects on comparable pipeline systems (pressure, diameter, medium), certified specialist staff
• Certifications: ISO 9001, DVGW certifications for gas supply installations, TRFL compliance for pipeline installations
• Safety evidence: Safety management evidence, ADR/TRGS compliance, emergency plans
• Economic capacity: Professional liability insurance, turnover evidence, creditworthiness for long-term maintenance contracts

The high technical and regulatory requirements typically narrow the bidder field to specialist plant construction and service companies. Bidding consortia are formed to cover the full service spectrum.

NACE 49.5 in context: Section H and Division 49

NACE 49.5 forms part of Division 49 (Land transport; transport via pipelines) within Section H (Transportation and storage) — though, due to its technical particularities, it occupies a special position within the transport division.

• NACE H – Transportation and storage: Parent section covering all transport and storage activities
• NACE 49 – Land transport: Division covering road, rail and pipeline transport
• NACE 49.4 – Freight transport by road: Road freight transport and removal services
• NACE 35.2 – Manufacture of gas; distribution of gaseous fuels through mains: Related segment of energy distribution via pipeline networks

Frequently asked questions about NACE 49.5 and public tenders

Which companies fall under NACE 49.5?
Undertakings whose economic focus is on the operation or use of pipelines. These include transmission system operators for gas and oil and operators of cross-regional water pipeline networks. Pure pipeline construction is classified under NACE 42.2.

Do special rules apply to utility sector contracting entities?
Yes. Operators of gas, oil or water pipeline networks are generally utility sector contracting entities under Directive 2014/25/EU. They enjoy greater procedural flexibility but are subject to the same transparency and non-discrimination obligations as classical public contracting authorities.

How do I find tenders in the pipeline segment?
On TED, tenders can be filtered via CPV codes such as 63734000 or 45231200. Many utility sector contracting entities also operate their own supplier portals through which tenders are communicated directly.

Is NACE 49.5 relevant for hydrogen transport?
Increasingly so. The retrofitting and new construction of pipelines for hydrogen transport will become a growing procurement field in the context of the European energy transition. Corresponding tenders are still rare but are expected in the coming years.

Last updated: January 2026
All information is provided without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.