Arsenio Dominguez called for the release of the Galaxy Leader crew on Monday in his first meeting as secretary general of the International Maritime Organization.
Dominguez has said that the safety of seafarers would be a key priority during his four-year tenure as head of the global shipping regulator.
Iran-backed Houthi forces seized the Ray Car Carriers’ 5,100-ceu Galaxy Leader (built 2002) on 19 November in its most dramatic targeting of shipping in protest against the Israeli assault on Gaza. The car carrier was moved to the Hodeidah anchorage.
The 25-strong crew, from Bulgaria, Mexico, Romania, Ukraine and the Philippines, have remained in Houthi hands since then. Ray Car Carriers is ultimately owned by Israel’s Rami Ungar.
“It is with great concern that I must highlight the regrettable situation developing in the Red Sea on my first meeting as secretary general,” Dominguez said.
“I wish to take this opportunity to reiterate my strong condemnation of attacks against international shipping in the area and call for an immediate release of the Galaxy Leader and its crew.”
He added that seafarers were innocent victims, their safety was paramount and the principle of freedom of navigation should be upheld.
The ship was seized as a bargaining chip as the Houthis sought to exert pressure on Israel to stop its war.
The Houthi leadership has said the release of the vessel and its crew will be discussed when “America and Israel stop killing Palestinians in Gaza and bring in water, medicine and food”.
