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BIMCO calls for release of Galaxy Leader crew and an end to Red Sea attacks
Published: 19 November 2024
Tuesday this week marked one year since the Galaxy Leader was attacked by Houthis in the Red Sea and the crew was taken hostage. Calling, once again, for the release of the crew, BIMCO Secretary General & CEO, David Loosley, issued the following statement:
“Today marks one year since the Galaxy Leader was hijacked in the Red Sea; that is 365 days during which 25 innocent people have been under immense psychological pressure and desperate to be reunited with their families. When the 25 seafarers boarded the Galaxy Leader, they did not expect to be attacked and taken hostage at gunpoint while doing their job. We have called for the release of the Galaxy Leader crew before, and today we call for their release once more. Seafarers should never be held hostage, never be shot at and never be collateral damage while doing their jobs.”
Throughout 2024, BIMCO, together with our peers, have repeatedly called for action and the release of innocent seafarers held hostage in the Red Sea area.
In February, we, together with several other shipping industry associations, issued a statement expressing our concern for the Galaxy Leader crew. In March we called on all stakeholders to take decisive action to safeguard the lives of innocent seafarers when an attack on the MV True Confidence resulted in loss of life and injuries suffered by the crew. In April, we published a joint open letter to his Excellency Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, of the United Nations, calling for help following the seizure of the MSC Aries and its crew members. In the letter, we jointly asked that all member states be formally reminded of their responsibilities under international law and that all efforts possible were brought to bear to release the seafarers and protect the safe transit of ships.
Lastly, in June we once again joined forces and issued an industry statement as yet another seafarer was believed to have been killed in a drone boat strike while on board the MV Tutor in the Red Sea, and as the Verbena was attacked the following day leaving a seafarer severely injured by anti-ship cruise missiles.
We will continue to call for the safety of our seafarers who should never be targets and never be collateral damage.
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