365 Days and counting
November 19th, 2024
Exactly one year ago today, a helicopter carrying armed Houthis landed on the deck of the Galaxy Leader. The crew was held at gunpoint and the ship was hijacked. This attack not only marked the start of a troubled period in the Red Sea but also the start of a now year-long nightmare for the crew.
While the attacks succeeded each other in the area, the attention for the crew is slowly ebbing away. Every 19th of the month, the Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners pauses to reflect on the terrible situation they find themselves in. The crew must not be forgotten!
The Mare Liberum is coming under increasing pressure in this regard. For instance, Annet Koster was recently a guest on Nieuwsuur to explain why the Houthis' are sending threatening emails to Dutch shipowners and others. The forcible claiming of seas must be stopped and the Mare Liberum must be protected.
And the crew of the Galaxy Leader? They have been held hostage for 365 days now. We do not forget them. The entire crew must be released immediately!