Iran-Backed Houthis Hijack Galaxy Leader Car Carrier: Crew and Vessel Located in Yemen’s Hodeidah Port
The Galaxy Leader car carrier, owned by Ray Car Carriers and operated by Japan’s Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK), was hijacked by Iran-backed Houthis in the Red Sea. The vessel, controlled by Israeli tycoon Abraham Rami Ungar, was boarded by military personnel via helicopter on Sunday.
Video footage released by the Houthis on Monday showed armed men seizing the ship, which they described as Israeli. The Bahamas-flagged 4,500 CEU ship, en route to India without cargo, had its communication lost, and TankerTrackers.com confirmed its presence in Hodeidah’s anchorage.
With a crew of 25 from Bulgaria, Ukraine, the Philippines, Mexico, and Romania, the ship’s owners expressed concern about the safety of the crew, emphasizing the violation of freedom of passage and a threat to international trade. Diplomatic efforts are underway for the crew’s release, with Japan appealing to the Houthis and seeking support from Saudi, Omani, and Iranian authorities.
The U.S. and the UK condemned the hijacking, demanding the immediate release of the ship and its crew. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attributed the act to Iranian terrorism, highlighting its implications for global shipping security. Iran dismissed these claims, stating that resistance groups in the region act independently based on their interests.
