The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO), said Tuesday, that a ship's crew reported an explosion 63 nautical mile southwest of Yemen's Hodeidah.

In a note of advice, the agency stated that the vessel and crew were safe and that the ship was proceeding to the next port.

Since last November, Houthi militants with an Iranian affiliation have attacked international shipping near Yemen in solidarity with Palestinians fighting alongside Israel and Hamas.

The Houthi attack has prompted U.S. and British retaliatory attacks and disrupted international trade, as ship owners rerouted vessels away from Red Sea and Suez Canal in order to sail the longer course around the southern tip Africa.

(source: Reuters)