An explosion was reported near a merchant vessel off Yemen's port of Aden on Tuesday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency and British maritime security firm Ambrey said.

A Marshall Islands-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier was targeted while heading through the Maritime Security Transit Corridor southbound about 53 nautical miles southwest of Aden, Ambrey reported. The vessel was traveling from the US to India.

The vessel and crew are safe, both Ambrey and UKMTO reported.

Maritime monitoring service TankerTrackers.com identified the vessel reported by UKMTO as bulk carrier Star Nasia, which was carrying US coal.

This explosion happened following recent Houthi attacks

Iran-aligned Houthis said on Tuesday that they fired missiles on two ships in the Red Sea, identifying the Marshall Islands-flagged Star Nasia as American.
Newly recruited fighters who joined a Houthi military force intended to be sent to fight in support of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, march during a parade in Sanaa, Yemen December 2, 2023. (credit: REUTERS/KHALED ABDULLAH)
Newly recruited fighters who joined a Houthi military force intended to be sent to fight in support of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, march during a parade in Sanaa, Yemen December 2, 2023. (credit: REUTERS/KHALED ABDULLAH)
The Greek-owned Star Nasia, managed by Star Bulk Carrier, was damaged by an explosion at 1115 GMT, a Greek shipping ministry official said, adding that its crew were not injured.

It was unclear if the explosion was caused by a sea mine or a rocket, the official said.