Yemen Monitor/Newsroom:
The International Chamber of Shipping today renewed its call for the Houthi armed group to release the crew of the car carrier “Galaxy Leader”.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, marks the first anniversary of the Houthi armed group’s seizure of the car carrier Galaxy Leader’s crew.
Speaking in Hong Kong, Guy Platten, Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Shipping, said: “It seems inconceivable that a year has passed, and the crew of the ship Galaxy Leader are still held hostage.
He added that they are innocent seafarers and their families have had their lives irrevocably changed by geopolitical forces completely beyond their control.”
The International Maritime Organization has repeatedly affirmed that the detention of seafarers against their will is a direct violation of international law and an assault on the fundamental principles of freedom of navigation.
Armed personnel boarded the ship, owned by Israeli businessman Abraham Rami Ungar’s “Ray Car Carriers” and operated by Japan’s Nippon Yusen Kaisha, via helicopter in the Red Sea.
The Bahamian-flagged ship, carrying 4500 tons of fuel, was heading to India and was not carrying any cargo at the time of the hijacking. It had a crew of 25 from Bulgaria, Ukraine, the Philippines, Mexico, and Romania.
The car carrier had been moored in the Yemeni port of Hodeidah where it turned into a tourist attraction over the past year.
Platten said, “The seafarers, some of whom have been detained for nearly two years against their will, have been unable to communicate more than minimally with their families, friends, and loved ones. This is unacceptable and must not be allowed to continue.”
He continued: “As we think of the seafarers and all those affected at this time, we continue to call for the triumph of humanity and their immediate release.”
Since the hijacking of the Galaxy Leader, the Houthis have targeted more than 120 ships over the past year with drones and missiles.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations(UKMTO) agency reported on Sunday that a ship passing through the Red Sea, 25 nautical miles west of Mocha, Yemen, reported a missile falling into the sea near it.
The name of the ship or its owner was not mentioned, but a security official from the company concerned said that the ship and its crew were safe and heading to the next port.
