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26 September 2015 Höegh Transporter has finally been released from detention in Mombasa, Kenya, and has continued her ocean voyage to South Africa, West Africa and Mexico, having suffered a delay of more than a week. No crew have been arrested, no drugs found on board but a consignment of undeclared United Nations weapons has been found. On arrival in Mombasa on 17 September, the ship was boarded by Kenyan authorities in search of weapons and drugs. After a short search, a consignment of handguns shipped by the United Nations from Mumbai, India, to Mombasa, in transit for the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, was found. The vehicles had originally been loaded by Indian military personnel. It is Höegh Autoliners` policy not to load weapons on vessels engaged in civilian traffic. Had we been aware of the presence of guns inside this consignment of vehicles shipped by United Nations, the cargo would neither have been booked nor loaded. The fact that the vehicles contained guns which were loaded without our knowledge caused a breach of Kenyan laws and our own strict policies. It is highly regrettable that a grave mistake on the part of the shipper has caused major difficulties and delays for other customers, the crew and ship. A search for drugs yielded no results involving vessel or crew. The cooperation with the local authorities has been good, and their reaction understandable given the seriousness of the issue. We can only regret that certain media has added to the tension by publishing inaccurate and wildly speculative stories. 
Höegh Transporter. Image by Höegh Autoliners Höegh Transporter in Mombasa, Kenya - Update
23 September 2015 During a cargo inspection which has taken place over the last few days in Mombasa, the Kenyan authorities have discovered weapons, not declared in the cargo manifest, inside some of the UN vehicles. It is our understanding that these weapons belong to the UN vehicles in which they were found, and were for use by the UN during their peacekeeping mission. The weapons were not declared to us at the time the cargo was loaded, and the fact that weapons were in the vehicles is in violation with our terms of transportation, which clearly states that no arms or ammunition are accepted for shipment. We have noted reports in the press that in addition to weapons, the Kenyan authorities have found a substance which is being tested to ascertain whether could be drugs. We have no clear information at this point as to whether this is correct or not. We continue to co-operate with the Kenyan authorities and expect to have the vessel released to continue her voyage soon. Höegh Transporter in Mombasa, Kenya - Update The crew of Höegh Transporter are working closely with investigators. 22 September 2015 The crew of the Höegh Transporter is continuing to work closely with investigators in the Port of Mombasa, Kenya as they conduct a thorough search of the vessel. After berthing on 17 September 2015, the vessel was boarded by Kenyan authorities who requested to inspect the cargo to be discharged. Throughout this investigation our Chinese crew have remained on board, provided assistance and monitored the investigation. We cannot speculate on the ongoing operation and cannot comment on rumours associated with the search. We look forward to the speedy completion of the search so that our vessel can resume her sailing schedule. Notes to Editors: Höegh Autoliners is a leading global provider of Ro/Ro vehicle transportation services. The company operates around 50 PCTCs (Pure Car and Truck Carriers) in global trade systems which are managed from a worldwide network of around 20 offices in four regions. Customers include global manufacturers of new cars, heavy machinery and rolling goods. In 2014, Höegh Autoliners carried about 2 million car equivalent units (ceu) and made around 3000 port calls. Höegh Transporter in Mombasa, Kenya Höegh Transporter berthed in Mombasa, Kenya Thursday 17 September in the afternoon for a regular discharge operation. 18 September 2015 The vessel came from Mumbai, India. After berthing, the vessel was boarded by Kenyan authorities, who requested to inspect the cargo to be discharged in Mombasa. The vessel’s crew, our local agent in Kenya and Höegh Autoliners’ local African operations team is cooperating fully with Kenyan authorities. We at this point do not know when the inspection will be completed and the vessel cleared to sail. Höegh Autoliners press release |
