The latest news and commentary on how the conflict in the Middle East is affecting the global maritime industry and shipping markets.
Galaxy Leader crew freedGalaxy Leader crew freed
Car carrier crew's captivity comes to an end after 14 months held by the Houthi in Yemen.

After more than a year in captivity, the crew of the Israel-linked car carrier Galaxy Leader have been freed with the IMO secretary general praising “the power of collective diplomacy” for their release.
Galaxy Leader was hijacked by Houthi militia in the Red Sea near the Yemeni port of Hodeida on 19 November 2023. Its crew composed of 25 people from Bulgaria, Ukraine, the Philippines, Mexico and Romania have been held since that time.
IMO secretary general Arsenio Dominguez welcomed the release of the seafarers: “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.”
Dominguez added: “Today’s breakthrough is testament to the power of collective diplomacy and dialogue, recognising that innocent seafarers must not become collateral victims in wider geopolitical tensions.”
However, the assertion that the release of the crew marks a return to operations in the Red Sea “as we have been accustomed to and upholding of the freedom of navigation”, may not be the case, as vessel operators are reluctant to take the risk immediately, preferring to take a wait and see approach to developments in Palestine.
Galaxy Leader is owned by Galaxy Maritime, which, in turn, is co-owned by Israeli businessman Abraham Ungar and Ray Car Carriers, and both companies are registered in the Isle of Man.
The 2002-built car carrier, with a capacity of 4,500 cars was operated by NYK Line.
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