 Galaxy Leader at Bremerhaven, 2006 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | Galaxy Leader |
| Operator | Nippon Yusen |
| Port of registry | Nassau |
| Builder | Stocznia Gdynia |
| Yard number | 8213/1 |
| Launched | May 18, 2002[1][2] |
| Completed | June 26, 2002 |
| Identification |
|
| Status | Operational |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | |
| Length | 189.20 m (620 ft 9 in) |
| Beam | 32.29 m (105 ft 11 in) |
| Height | 13.99 m (45 ft 11 in) |
| Draft | 9.52 m (31 ft 3 in) |
| Crew | 25 |
Galaxy Leader is a roll-on/roll-off vehicle carrier built in 2002 at Stocznia Gdynia in Gdynia, Poland. It is owned by Ray Shipping, a company owned by Israeli businessman Rami Ungar.[3][4]
Technical specifications
The vehicle carrier is powered by a Sulzer 7-cylinder, two-stroke diesel engine of type 7RTA-62U with a power of 15,540 kW (20,840 hp). The engine drives a propeller. Three generators, powered by two MAN diesel engines of type 7L28/32H and one MAN diesel engine of type 6L28/32H, are available for power generation. Additionally, there is an emergency generator driven by another diesel engine of type MAN D 2866. The ship is equipped with an electrically driven bow thruster. The Galaxy Leader has two loading ramps. The stern ramp has a capacity of 120 tons. The second ramp with lower capacity is located midships on the starboard side. The ship has six decks, interconnected by ramps. The vehicle capacity is approximately 4,500 CEU.
Construction and career
The ship, assigned yard number 8213/1, was constructed at the Stocznia Gdynia shipyard in Gdynia, Poland, in 2002. Keel laying took place on November 5, 2001, and the launch occurred on May 18, 2002. The ship was completed on June 26, 2002. It is one of two identical ships; the sister ship is the Global Leader. Both ships are managed by STAMCO Shipmanagement in Piraeus, Greece.[5]
Hijacking in 2023
On November 19, 2023, the Galaxy Leader, chartered by the Japanese shipping company Nippon Yūsen K.K., was in ballast on a journey from Körfez, Turkey to Pipavav, India when it was boarded and hijacked by the Houthis in the Red Sea near Hodeida.[6][7][8] The ship was brought to Hodeida by its Houthi hijackers.[9] Onboard the Galaxy Leader were 25 crew members, including 17 from the Philippines along with others from Bulgaria (including the captain and first mate), Ukraine, Mexico, and Romania.[9][10] An American defense official claimed that the hijackers were trained by a professional army, and pointed out the Iranian Army as a reasonable option. Iranian officials denied aiding the hijacking Houthi group.[11]
References
- ↑ Galaxy Leader, balticshipping.com, October 22, 2010, retrieved November 21, 2022
- ↑ Galaxy Leader - IMO 9237307, scheepvaartwest.be, August 9, 2013, retrieved November 21, 2022
- ↑ Bockmann, Michelle Wiese (2023-11-19). "Houthis 'hijack' Israeli-owned car carrier Galaxy Leader". Lloyd's List. Retrieved 2023-11-25.
- ↑ Wells, Kane (2023-11-23). "Hijacking of Galaxy Leader has broader implications for marine war underwriters: Skytek". ReinsuranceNe.ws. Retrieved 2023-11-25.
- ↑ Stamco Galaxy Leader, stamco.gr, retrieved November 21, 2023
- ↑ "Global shipping on edge after Houthis seize Israeli vessels – DW – 11/27/2023". DW.com. 27 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ↑ Jonathan Saul (November 20, 2023). "Two ships divert course away from Red Sea area after vessel seized by Houthis". Reuters. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ↑ Seizure of Pure Car and Truck Carrier Chartered by NYK, Press Release, November 19, 2023, retrieved November 21, 2023
- 1 2 "Houthi Commander Welcomes Hijacked Crew to Yemen". The Maritime Executive. 22 November 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
- ↑ Seized Galaxy Leader ship in Yemen's Hodeidah port area -owner, Press Release, November 21, 2023, retrieved November 21, 2023
- ↑ "Analysis: Iran-backed Yemen rebels' helicopter-borne attack on ship raises risks in crucial Red Sea". AP News. 2023-11-21. Retrieved 2023-11-25.