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Statement from the Mission to Seafarers on the release of the Galaxy Leader hostages By : The Ven. Dr Peter Rouch, Secretary General, The Mission to Seafarers “The release of the crew of the Galayy Leader is a moment of profound relief. Not only for the hostages and their families, but for everyone who has supported them throughout this ordeal, whether through prayers, advocacy, or other efforts to secure their freedom. At The Mission to Seafarers, we have been honoured to stand alongside the families of the crew who have also been severely impacted by this plight during these 430 days of unimaginable fear and uncertainty. In collaboration with industry partners, our dedicated teams in Jordan and Cyprus have provided a range of support services to these families. We have journeyed with the Galaxy Leader families, facilitating the engagement of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) with them as one of the foundations of the IMO’s work to secure the crew’s release. We will also remain available to assist as the crew transition home to be reunited with their families. This incident is a stark reminder of the threats faced by seafarers, which are often outside of their control. Seafarers must never be used as geopolitical pawns. Their rights to perform their lawful duties must be upheld without compromise. Today, as we express our deepest gratitude for those whose efforts made the release possible, we also celebrate the extraordinary resilience demonstrated by the crew and their families. Their courage in the face of such trauma serves as an inspiration to us all.”

On Jan 17, 2025, at 5.36 p.m., the 'Golden Curl', en route from Qingdao to Belawan, was boarded by two unarmed perpetrators, at the Belawan Anchorage Area no. 6 in pos. 3°55.8' N 98° 44.5' E. The pirates stole unsecured items and escaped.

The Houthi movement has released the 25 crew members of the 'Galaxy Leader' on Jan 22. The crew, who come from the Philippines, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine and Mexico, have reportedly been brought to Oman on board a plane. The ship ,which is owned by Ray Car Carriers, which is controlled by Israeli billionaire Abraham Rami Ungar, remained stuck on the beach of the port city of Hodeida.. The release came after a ceasefire agreement was reached between Israel and Hamas. The ceasefire also meant that the Houthis have stopped their attacks on international shipping. However, Israeli or Israeli-owned ships remain at risk of attack. US and British aircraft have attacked Houthi targets in Yemen more than 260 times since the conflict began. Report with photo: https://nos.nl/artikel/2552822-houthi-s-zeggen-bemanning-van-gekaapt-schip-na-jaar-te-hebben-vrijgelaten

On Jan 16, 2025, at 2.37 a.m., the Jolanda', enroute from Lanshan to Qingdao, was boarded by two perpetrators, armed with gun like objects, 2,96 nautical miles north of Pulau Cula in pos. 1°5.33' N 90° 103°43.26' E, while underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme of the Singpore Strait. No injuries were reported, and nothing was reported stolen.

On Jan 13, 2025, at 12.50 a.m., the 'Ceylon Breeze' was boarded by 10 perpetrators, armed with knives and stel bars, at the Payra Outer Anchorage, where the ship has been moored in pos. 21°19.2' N 90° 4.28' E since Jan 10, having sailed from Asam Asam on Dec 30, 2024. The crew of the cargo vessel was tied up, and the pirates stole ship's properties and stores.