UKMTO reports missile strike near ship southeast of Yemen

• A merchant ship in the Arabian Sea reported a nearby explosion.
• The UK Maritime Trade Operations confirmed the incident.
• The crew of the vessel is safe.
• The Joint Maritime Information Center identified the ship as MSC Sarah V.
• JMIC stated the vessel was hit by a missile but sustained no damage.
• The Houthi Group has been conducting attacks in shipping lanes.

A merchant ship in the Arabian Sea reported a nearby explosion on Monday, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

The UKMTO stated that the crew is safe and the vessel is proceeding to its next destination.

The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) later identified the ship as the Liberian-flagged container vessel MSC Sarah V. JMIC reported that the vessel was hit by a missile while navigating in the Arabian Sea, approximately 246 nautical miles southeast of Yemen’s Nishtun, but sustained no damage. The ship reported a landing of a missile in the water about 50 meters from the port side.

JMIC's notes added that the vessel was likely attacked because of perceived Israeli associations. Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi Group has launched drone and missile attacks in shipping lanes since November, claiming to act in solidarity with Palestinians during Israel's war in Gaza. The group has sunk two ships, captured another, and killed at least three seafarers in dozens of attacks.