According to the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN), approximately ten percent of all global seaborne trade currently moves through the Suez Canal, and with the expansion of the Canal, trade volumes will likely increase.
According to the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN), approximately ten percent of all global seaborne trade currently moves through the Suez Canal, and with the expansion of the Canal, trade volumes will likely increase. However, the Suez Canal has also been a consistent hot spot for corruption, with Captains and crew facing regular demands for “facilitation payments” for passage or for routine services. As cigarettes are the most frequent form of demand, the Suez Canal has been referred to as the “Marlboro Canal” in media.
To tackle this challenge, the MACN group, of which Höegh Autoliners is a member, started a campaign in December 2015, called the “Say No” campaign, for Captains passing through the Suez Canal.
Maria Hempel, Chief Compliance Officer, Höegh Autoliners says
"The Captains were given training and firm support from the shipowners to enable them to say no to the request of facilitations payments, even if it would cost the Company more in terms of lost time due to delays."
In addition, the group worked with port authorities, customs officials and government representatives to develop long-term solutions to corruption in ports.
Following positive results from the pilot, MACN agreed to make the collective action a permanent campaign.
Since the launch in 2015, MACN has assessed the impact of the campaign by surveying members and by collecting incident data. The situation has improved every year, and feedback in 2017 shows that companies taking part in the campaign are transiting Suez without any delays or issues. Demands for cigarettes have decreased dramatically or have even been eliminated, while threats to the safety of both crew and vessel have also decreased significantly.
Maria continues,
"With the success of this campaign, we see that our vessels sailing the Suez Canal have had smoother transits. With the assistance of our agents, and support from the Company, the Captains find it easier to refuse demands and avoid situations of duress and threats on board."
24 May 2022
By joining the Global Maritime Forum’s All Aboard Alliance, Höegh Autoliners reiterates its efforts to improve diversity, equality, and inclusion in the maritime industry. This is an imperative focus and a task that we need to solve together, says CEO Andreas Enger.
14 September 2023
“Together with a clear decarbonisation target, safety is our top priority both on our existing fleet and when designing our new Aurora class vessels. Fire safety has been a focus area and part of the design work from day one,” says the COO of Höegh Autoliners, Sebjørn Dahl.
16 August 2023
With a shared vision to lead the way in green maritime technology, Kongsberg Digital and Höegh Autoliners have worked closely together since 2019. Expanding the collaboration, we have formalised an agreement to digitalise the remaining vessels in our fleet and on our upcoming Aurora-class vessels. This strategic move solidifies our commitment to leveraging digital solutions for increased efficiency and sustainability in the maritime industry
01 August 2023
Höegh Autoliners has been awarded the coveted title of "Best Shipping Line of the Year - Multipurpose Operator" for an impressive sixth consecutive year. The 7th edition of the India Maritime Awards took place in Mumbai on July 7, 2023. -