Yemen's Houthi militants have released the Galaxy Leader crew more than a year after they seized the vessel while it was transiting the Red Sea region.
Houthi-owned Al Masirah TV reported on Wednesday that the group had let the Bahama-flagged car carrier’s 25 crew members go in line with its earlier guarantee that their release was imminent.
The group said they had handed the crew over to Oman "in coordination" with the 19 January ceasefire between Hamas and Israel that has ended the war in Gaza.
"The release of the Galaxy Leader crew comes within the framework of our solidarity with Gaza and in support of the ceasefire agreement," the Houthi Supreme Political Council told the broadcaster.
According to the vessel’s owner, Galaxy Maritime, the crew comprised seafarers from Bulgaria, the Philippines, Ukraine, Mexico and Romania.
It was chartered by Japan's Nippon Yusen at the time of its seizure when Houthi militia boarded the vessel by helicopter and rerouted it to the Port of Hodeidah in Yemen on 19 November.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez welcomed the release of the crew.
"I welcome the release of the 25-member crew of the Galaxy Leader, who have endured over a year of captivity since they were taken hostage in November 2023 while transiting the Red Sea. This is a moment of profound relief for all of us – not only for the crew and their families, but also to the wider maritime community.
“I am grateful for all the Member States, regional entities, and international partners whose steadfast support and strategic engagement were pivotal in securing the crew’s freedom, and to ensuring their wellbeing.
“Today’s breakthrough is a testament to the power of collective diplomacy and dialogue, recognising that innocent seafarers must not become collateral victims in wider geopolitical tensions. It is also a return to operations in the Red Sea as we have been accustomed to, and upholding of the freedom of navigation,” said Dominguez.
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr welcomed the release of the crew, which included 17 Filipinos.
“It is with utmost joy that, after more than a year of captivity in Yemen, I announce the safe release of all seventeen Filipino seafarers, together with the rest of the crewmembers of M/V Galaxy Leader.
“Our Filipino seafarers are now in the care of our Philippine Embassy in Muscat, Oman, and will be reunited with their loved ones in the Philippines very soon.”
Despite Houthi militants advising commercial ship owners this week that the group has ceased attacks on vessels in the region, with the exception of Israeli-owned or -flagged ships, they have warned that they are ready to act if Israel violates the ceasefire agreement.
The Houthis have attacked more than 100 ships transiting the Red Sea since November 2023, saying they were acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Israel's war against Hamas.
