Höegh Autoliners Confirms Weapons on Detained Vessel

 

Höegh Autoliners confirmed that their vessel, Höegh Transporter, which is currently berthed at Mombasa, Kenya, carried a consignment of United Nations (UN) vehicles from Mumbai, India destined for the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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.