The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said that a merchant ship in the Arabian Sea reported a nearby explosion on Monday.

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

JMIC, the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Joint Maritime Information Center, later identified the ship as the Liberian flagged container MSC Sarah V. It said the vessel was hit by a missile but not damaged while navigating in the Arabian Sea. The ship was 246 nautical mile southeast of Yemen’s Nishtun.

JMIC reported that 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 in November. The group claims to be acting in solidarity with Palestinians during Israel's Gaza war.

In dozens attacks, the Houthis sank two ships, captured another, and killed at minimum three seafarers.

The Houthis did not immediately comment. (Reporting and additional reporting by Jaidaa Taka; editing by Kim Coghill, Alison Williams and Kim Coghill)