After more than 14 months in captivity, the 25-member crew of the Galaxy Leader car carrier was released on Wednesday. The crew, consisting of nationals from Bulgaria, Ukraine, the Philippines, Mexico, and Romania, had been held since November 19, 2023, when armed Houthis seized the vessel via helicopter, sparking the Red Sea shipping crisis. International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez welcomed their release, facilitated by discussions involving the Hamas movement and Omani negotiators. Dominguez expressed relief for the crew and their families, emphasizing the importance of protecting seafarers from geopolitical conflicts and reaffirming IMO’s commitment to maritime safety.
