On November 19, the commercial vessel Galaxy Leader was unlawfully boarded by military personnel via a helicopter and is presently situated in the Hodeidah port area in Yemen, as reported by Galaxy Maritime Ltd, the vessel's Isle of Man registered owner. All communication with the ship has since been lost, and the company, in its capacity as a shipping entity, has opted not to provide further comments on the political or geopolitical aspects surrounding the situation.
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels released video footage on November 20, showcasing armed individuals descending from a helicopter and seizing the cargo ship in the southern Red Sea.
The United States has strongly condemned the seizure, categorizing it as a breach of international law, and has called for the immediate release of the vessel and its crew. Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, emphasized in a briefing, "The Houthi seizure of the motor vessel Galaxy Leader in the Red Sea is a flagrant violation of international law. We demand the immediate release of the ship and its crew, and we will consult with our allies and U.N. partners regarding appropriate next steps."
The crew of the Bahamas-flagged Galaxy Leader hails from Bulgaria, Ukraine, the Philippines, Mexico, and Romania, according to Galaxy Maritime. The vessel is chartered by Japan's Nippon Yusen.
Owners and managers of the vessel express their belief that the seizure represents a significant violation of freedom of passage for the global fleet, posing a substantial threat to international trade. Their primary concern at this time is the safety and security of the 25 crew members currently held by the perpetrators of this criminal act.
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