"Galaxy Leader crew released after 14 months in captivity"

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) welcomes news of the release of the Galaxy Leader crew, after being held captive for more than a year.

While celebrating the crew’s release, the ITF is urging governments and industry to do more to safeguard seafarers from becoming collateral damage in conflicts not of their making, as well as from piracy and criminalisation.

Yemen’s Houthis announced the release of the crew of the Galaxy Leader, after negotiations brokered by Oman.

The Galaxy Leader’s international crew, from the Philippines (17), Ukraine (3), Mexico (2), Bulgaria (2) and Romania (1), had been detained since November 2023.

Stephen Cotton, ITF’s General Secretary, said: “We are delighted that the crew of the Galaxy Leader has been released after more than a year being held hostage in Yemen…

What is most important now is that these 25 seafarers are able to return to their homes and families as soon as possible, and that they receive the appropriate support after their unimaginable ordeal."…

The ITF calls on the Houthis to end all attacks on commercial vessels and to provide clear assurances that seafarers transiting the Red Sea will be safe…