Two Ships Changed Course In Red Sea & Gulf of Aden After Houthis’ Vessel Hijack

According to shipping statistics and the British maritime security firm dubbed Ambrey, two commercial vessels that redirected their course in the waters of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden were reportedly linked to the same marine gang whose vessel was taken by Yemen’s Houthis.

The Houthis detained a British-owned and Japan-operated cargo vessel in the southern Red Sea on Sunday, denouncing the incident as an “Iranian act of terrorism” with implications for world maritime security.

The Houthis, a Tehran ally, admitted seizing a ship in the vicinity but characterised it as Israeli.

On Monday, Japan’s senior government spokeswoman confirmed the detention of the Nippon Yusen-operated vessel Galaxy Leader, saying that Japan made an appeal to the Houthis while requesting the assistance of Saudi, Omani, and other Iranian authorities to work for the early release of the ship along with its crew members.

Hermes Leader and Glovis Star, two other vessels identified as handled by Ray Car Carriers, changed sailing paths on Sunday, Ambrey added on Monday.

Ambrey stated that the vessel kept sailing back to the place it had come from, establishing a new AIS destination, Hambantota in Sri Lanka. The vessel experienced no more than four interruptions to business and went 1,876 nautical miles further.

The Glovis Star meandered for several hours in the Red Sea before continuing its voyage, according to AIS ship monitoring data on Monday.

Galaxy Maritime Ltd, the registered owner of the Galaxy Leader and based on the Isle of Man, stated in a press release on Monday that the ship was illegally invaded by military personnel using a helicopter on November 19.

When queried regarding diverting the other two vessels, a corporate spokeswoman stated that the company would not comment further on political issues.

Per a MARAD notice, the Galaxy Leader was hijacked roughly 50 miles west of the Houthi-controlled seaport of Hodeidah, and vessels should exercise caution when passing this area.

A new record was seen for the first time. This was (an) official declaration of pirates seizing a vessel on the high seas, which is a significant danger to international law, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog remarked of the Galaxy Leader in remarks on Monday.

Reference- Reuters

Two Ships Changed Course In Red Sea & Gulf of Aden After Houthis’ Vessel Hijack appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

Source: Maritime Shipping News