Red Sea tensions ease, 25-strong Galaxy Leader crew released

January 23, 2025, by Naida Hakirevic Prevljak

Yemen’s Houthi group has released the crew of Galaxy Leader, a NYK-chartered pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) seized in November 2023.

The 25 seafarers were handed over to Omani authorities on January 22, 2025, as part of arrangements related to the Gaza ceasefire, Yemeni Almasirah Media Network website reported.

In a statement, the Houthi Supreme Political Council emphasized that the crew was detained “as part of efforts to support Gaza”.

To remind, Yemeni naval forces had captured a ship and taken it to the Port of Hodeidah on November 19, 2023. The move, seen as a retaliation against Israel’s military actions in Gaza, drew significant international attention.

NYK-chartered car carrier seized in Yemen as shipping gets in crosshairs of Israel-Hamas war

Vessels

The 4,500 CEU ship, built in Poland in 2002, is owned by the Isle of Man-based Ray Car Carriers—a company reportedly linked to Israel— and operated by Japan’s NYK Line.

Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, has welcomed the release of the crew of the MV Galaxy Leader, after more than a year in captivity.

“I welcome the release of the 25-member crew of the Galaxy Leader, who have endured over a year of captivity since they were taken hostage in November 2023 while transiting the Red Sea. This is a moment of profound relief for all of us – not only for the crew and their families, but also to the wider maritime community,” he said.

“Today’s breakthrough is a testament to the power of collective diplomacy and dialogue, recognizing that innocent seafarers must not become collateral victims in wider geopolitical tensions. It is also a return to operations in the Red Sea as we have been accustomed to and upholding the freedom of navigation.”

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICC) also welcomed the release of the seafarers.

“We welcome the news of the Galaxy Leader crew being released today and that they will be reunited with their families after being held in captivity since the 19 November 2023. The fact that the innocent crew were held for over 430 days is unacceptable and a truly dreadful situation,” Guy Platten, ICS’ Secretary-General, commented.

“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.”

The Galaxy Leader detention is one of numerous incidents that escalated since late 2023 and involved commercial ships. The Red Sea, a crucial maritime route for international trade, was long an epicenter of heightened tensions due to the Israel-Hamas war.

Due to dozens of attacks on commercial vessels in the area, many shipping companies were forced to reroute their vessels. This has caused higher fuel expenses, extended voyage durations and additional maintenance costs for shipowners.