The Ukrainian sailors of the Galaxy Leader cargo vessel, who were captured by Yemeni Houthis on 19 November 2023 in the Red Sea, were evacuated on 22 January 2025 by Ukrainian intelligence officers with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

U.S. ships are returning to the Red Sea following promises from Yemen’s Houthi rebels to abstain from attacks on American and British vessels. The pledge, which comes after more than a year of

Ukrainian sailors abducted by Yemeni Houthi rebels in November 2023 have been released through a coordinated effort by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and HUR.

British and American ships are tentatively returning to the Red Sea after Yemen’s Houthi rebels vowed to hold off attacks on vessels linked to both nations, a sign that traffic on one of the world’s main trade routes could normalize after more than a year of disruption.

A fire aboard the Hong Kong-flagged ASL Bauhinia on Tuesday was not linked to Houthi attacks, the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Joint Maritime Information Center said on Wednesday.

Supply chains have had to deal with higher shipping costs, product delivery delays, and increased carbon emissions as a result of this diversion. The Gaza ceasefire gave some hope that the disruption would finally end. But shipping lines will not hurry back to the region until long-term security is guaranteed.

The news comes as the Yemeni rebel group release of the crew of the carrier captured in November 2023 as part of attacks on vessels sailing through the Red Sea corridor. The decision is seen as part of de-escalation efforts in the wake of the Gaza ceasefire.

Shipping companies expressed caution about using the shorter route between Asia and Europe that many ships have avoided for more than a year.

Despite a ceasefire in Gaza and assurances from Yemen's Houthi rebels to scale back attacks on international vessels in the Red Sea, major shipping companies remain hesitant to resume using the Suez Canal due to ongoing security concerns.

The three sailors arrived in Odesa on Jan. 25, where they were greeted by relatives after 14 months in captivity.

The 25 crew members — who include mariners from the Philippines, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, and Mexico ... assaults that have plagued the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden for months.

The Iranian-backed rebel group in Yemen had earlier said they would scale back attacks given the cease-fire in the conflict in Gaza.