Contrary to the Houthi militia's assertions, Israel vehemently denied any involvement, maintaining that the ship, operated by Nippon Yusen, was falsely identified. Japan's government echoed this stance, confirming that Nippon Yusen, also known as NYK Line, was the legitimate operator.
Photos sourced from Reuters and EPA reveal individuals wandering through the vast expanse of the seized cargo ship. The Galaxy Leader was en route to India with 25 crew members on board when it was hijacked near Hodeida in Yemen said by Nippon Yusen.
The diverse composition of the crew includes people from Mexico, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and the Phillippines, adding an international dimension to the incident. Japan's government has been in touch with relevant countries since November, working towards the quick release of the vessel and the crew.
Documents from the Isle of Man government's companies registry reveal co-ownership by Israeli businessman Abraham Ungar, providing further insight into the vessel's ownership structure related to Ray Car Carriers.
