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The duty crew of the 'Pacific Kohinoor' noticed that stores were missing from the aft station in pos.14 32 50 S, 040 39 07 E at the Nacala anchorage, Mozambique, on Dec 1, 2023, at 9.10 p.m. UTC. A search was carried out on board to see if any perpetrators were still on board, but none were found. The MRCC Mozambique was notified of the theft at Nacala.

The owner and manager of the 'Galax Leader' have made a renewed plea for the release of its crew. The Ray Car Carriers company Galaxy Maritime said in a statement that the 25 crew members were being treated as well as could be expected in the circumstances, according to the “modest contact” allowed so far with their families. They have no connection whatsoever with the current situation in the region. The companies called on “all those nations with citizens being held by the Houthis to re-double their efforts, alongside owners and managers, to secure their release and immediate return to their loved ones. Nothing can be achieved by their further detention.” Galaxy Maritime and Stamco applauded the actions so far of the Philippines’ maritime authorities and other maritime administrations to secure a release of the 17 Filipino seafarers, two Bulgarians, three Ukrainians, a Romanian and two Mexicans.

Groups of men have been photographed on Dec 5, taking selfies and tours on the 'Galaxy Leader'. A boat carries people to the vehicles carrier at the port of Hodeidah which is held in port along with its crew, including Bulgarian, Mexican, Filipino and Ukrainian nationals. Images from on board have shown large groups of people entering and leaving the ship by boat, as well as several Yemenis armed with rifles walking the deck. At least one part of the ship also displayed graffiti with a slogan expressing support for Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The 'Galaxy Leader' is owned by Galaxy Maritime Ltd, which is registered in the Isle of Man. It is owned by Ray Car Carriers, which is co-owned by Israeli businessman Abraham Ungar, according to documents from the Isle of Man government's companies registry. Reports with photos: https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bk6h8p6st https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12834113/Hijacked-cargo-ship-tourist-attraction-Groups-men-seen-taking-tours-Galaxy-Leader-Iran-Houthi-rebels-sieged-vessel-Red-Sea.html https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67632940

The 'Almeraj 1' has been hijacked by Somali clan militia off Eyl, marking the first pirate activity off the Somalian coastline for many years. Commercial shipping has been advised to stay outside of Somalian territorial waters because of the danger. A ransom demand of $400,000 had been made, along with threats to use the ship for additional hijackings if the payment is not made. EUNAVFOR ‘s Operation Atalanta has received information about the vessel and was “actively working to establish the facts”. The reason given for the hijacking was that the dhow-type vessel had been fishing illegally. Somalia has strict fishing regulations, and no foreign ships can operate within its waters without its approval. The militia claimed they had requested assistance from authorities, which was reportedly not forthcoming, so they took control of the vessel. The 'Almeraj 1' had sailed from Chabahar in October. It looked to have conducted intermittent fishing operations within Somali territorial waters over a period of about a month. The vessel was descibed as a Jelbut-style round-stern dhow with a white and blue superstructure at the stern. It also has two Somali-style white-hulled skiffs with single outboard engines. It said that merchant shipping was advised to avoid the area, to be vigilant in case of a sighting, and to implement counter-piracy Best Management Practices.

Suspected pirates aboard the hijacked 'Al Meraj I' have surrendered to Somali police after being monitored by European Union Operation Atalanta assets. On Nov 22, 2023 the European Union Naval Force (EU Navfor) Joint Operations Centre was alerted by the Commander of the Somali Coast Guard about the abduction of the fishing dhow off the coast of Eyl. The pirates weare thought to have come from a local clan, and their attack on the fishing vessel was in response to claims of the fishing vessel operating within Somali territorial waters. The Somalis were demanding $400 000 for the release of the 'Al Meraj I' and its crew. They threatened to use the vessel to attack more shipping if the ransom was not paid. From Nov 22 on, Operation Atalanta monitored the vessel closely for more than 230 nautical miles away from the coast of Somalia, contributing to prevent the alleged pirates from posing any threat. The operation included the deployment of an unarmed ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicle from an Operation Atalanta warship. It is thought the vessel was not boarded because authorities were not sure if hostages were on board. The 'Al Meraj I', after losing its two towed skiffs and in poor weather, turned back towards the coast of Puntland, and its crew surrendered to Somali police.