///

Shipping world relieved by release of Galaxy Leader hostages

1864 views
2 mins read

The shipping community has welcomed the release of the 25 crew of the Galaxy Leader cargo car carrier, after Houthi rebels hijacked the vessel 14 months ago just after the war erupted in Gaza and kept the seafarers hostage.

The International Chamber of Shipping said it welcomed the news that the crew will be reunited with their families after being held in captivity since November 19, 2023. It follows the Israel-Hamas ceasefire that ends a series of attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, which has impacted the global container shipping and marine insurance industries.

UN Special Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg said the move was a “step in the right direction.”

He wrote on X that it “puts an end to the arbitrary detention and separation that they and their families endured for more than a year.”

“This is a step in the right direction, and I urge [the Houthis] to continue these positive steps on all fronts, including ending all maritime attacks.”

ICS Secretary General Guy Platten said, “the fact that the innocent crew were held for over 430 days is unacceptable and a truly dreadful situation.

“Nobody should have to endure such an ordeal, and we call on all nations to support our seafarers and shipping so that this does not happen again,” Platten added.

“ICS deplores any and all attacks on shipping as they are a breach of international law and threaten the lives of innocent seafarers and the safety of merchant shipping.”

Incoming ICS Secretary General Thomas Kazakos echoed the sentiment, saying that “this is indeed ‘good news’, even way overdue! Seafarers bring prosperity and growth to all of us. [We should] protect them and not victimise them.”

The Cyprus Shipping Chamber said the release brought much-needed relief to the seafarers, their families and the global shipping community, who have been deeply distressed by this incident.

“The Chamber also extends its gratitude to all parties involved in the diplomatic efforts that ensured the safe release of the crew. This development underscores the vital importance of international collaboration in safeguarding maritime security.”

Safety of maritime routes

The CSC, that represents the vast majority of Cyprus-flag shipowners and shipmanagement companies, called on nations worldwide “to continue to prioritise the protection of seafarers and maritime operations, which are critical to the global economy and the welfare of countless individuals.

“Innocent seafarers must be protected from victimisation and the safety of maritime routes must be maintained at all times. This is essential to foster an environment of safety and stability in international waters and to ensure the uninterrupted global supply of goods amidst geopolitical instabilities.”

The release of the crew was reportedly brokered in a deal between Hamas and Oman, as they boarded an Omani Royal Air Force jet sent to Yemen.

However, the Houthis have warned they will resume attacks on international commercial shipping if Israel reneges on Gaza truce, according to Al Jazeera.

The Iran-aligned group said in a statement on Wednesday that the 25-strong crew of Filipinos, Mexicans, Romanians, Bulgarians and Ukrainians who spent 430 days in captivity were transferred to Oman by order of Houthi leader Abdel-Malik al-Houthi.

The 48,710 gross tonne Galaxy Leader is a Bahamas-flagged roll-on/roll-off vehicle carrier operated by the Japanese shipping company Nippon Yusen, and owned by Galaxy Maritime Ltd., affiliated with Abraham Ungar, one of the richest men in Israel.

The cargo ship currently lies off the coast of Yemen, near the Houthi stronghold port of Hodeida, according to vessel tracker MarineTraffic.

In recent months, it was used by Houthi rebels as a tourist attraction, invited Yemenis on board and utilising it as a social media vantage point.