Galaxy Leader crew finally released

After mediation by Oman, the Houthis finally released the 25-member crew of the ship Galaxy Leader after 430 days today, international media reported. The KVNR is delighted that these seafarers have been freed from their nightmare and can now be reunited with their loved ones.

This news is not only good news for the crew and their loved ones, but also for the international maritime industry. The attack on the Galaxy Leader on 19 November 2023 in the Red Sea marked the beginning of a spiral of violence of which commercial maritime shipping became the victim.

‘The impact on seafarers and shipping as a whole of this violent disruption of shipping traffic in the Red Sea has been enormous over the past year. Shipping must not be used as a plaything in geopolitical disputes and the international community must continue to defend the weighty principle of free and safe passage,’ said KVNR president Annet Koster.

The flagrant violation by the Houthis of international law on free and safe passage was and is unacceptable. More than 100 attacks have since been carried out and ships, meanwhile, have had to sail far round via the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the violence.

A few months ago, the Houthis appeared to be making hefty sums of money from shipowners who would pay for unhindered passage. That made it extra tense whether the attacks would stop in the event of a truce between Israel and Hamas. After all, that war had been used as an incentive by the Houthis to attack ships in the Red Sea. And although the ceasefire is still early and we should be cautious about speculating, the release of the crew of the Galaxy Leader inspires optimism.