GALAXY LEADER

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Latest news

Managers renewed calls to release crew

On June 18, the managers of the 'Galaxy Leader' renewed calls for the release of the 25 crew members, among them the Bulgarian captain and chief officer, along with 17 Filipinos and other sailors from Ukraine, Mexico and Romania, who have been held captive by Yemen's Houthi militants for seven months after the ship was hijacked on Nov 19, 2023. "The Houthis have nothing to gain by keeping the 25 crew members," said the ship's managers, who requested that they be released to their families without further delay.

Red Cross delegation visited hijacked ship and crew

The crew of the 'Galaxy Leader' expressed their hope for an early return to their families, when a delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) visited the vessel on May 12 near the port city of Hodeidah. It was the first time that the organization did so, after the vessel was hijacked by the Houthi group. The delegation has met all 25 detainees to check on their condition and listen to their concerns. The crew consists of different nationalities, including Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Mexican and Filipino nationals. The Houthi group, also known as Ansar Allah, claimed that the crew have regular communication with their families. The Houthi group warned they will not be released until Israel's war on Gaza stops and permanent ceasefire is reached with Hamas.

European Parliament called on the EU to take immediate measures to free the hostages

The European Parliament called on the EU to take immediate measures to free the hostages taken by Yemeni Houthis during the attack on the 'Galaxy Leader', including three Ukrainian citizens. The European Parliament has drawn up a resolution concerning the hostage of crew members by Iran-backed Houthi forces, adopted on April 25 during a meeting in Strasbourg. The document was voted in favor by 357 MEPs, against by 20, and 58 abstained. “The European Parliament… Calls on the EU and its Member States to strengthen and intensify efforts to secure the safe and immediate release of all hostages taken (on board) the Galaxy Leader, including two Bulgarian, one Romanian and three Ukrainian nationals, who have been held by the Houthis since November 19, 2023,” the resolution noted. In addition, the European Parliament called on the EU High Representative and Member States to step up diplomatic efforts in this context and to engage all relevant parties to ensure the safe return of the captured Europeans without further delay. The document notes that Iran keeps the Yemeni Houthis under direct control and provides them with substantial military support. International shipping severely affected The International Chamber of Shipping has called on the international community to act to secure the immediate release of all 25 crew members of the 'Galaxy Leader', who have been seized by military force and held hostage by the Houthis.