A tanker was targeted in waters 95 nautical miles southeast of Yemen’s port city of Aden, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center.
The master of the vessel reported hearing a loud explosion in close proximity to the ship, signaling a renewed spike in risk for commercial traffic in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden corridor.
The incident, confirmed by the UK coordination center under the Royal Navy, adds to a series of maritime disruptions that have kept insurance premiums elevated and forced many carriers to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope.
While no casualties or significant damage were immediately reported, the attack highlights the persistent vulnerability of energy shipments passing through this critical chokepoint.
This development follows earlier reports of incidents involving tankers and unidentified armed forces in the Gulf of Oman, suggesting a broadening of the threat landscape beyond the immediate Red Sea zone.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations center has advised crews of nearby vessels to exercise heightened caution, a standard response that nonetheless reinforces the operational challenges facing shipping lines.