UKMTO Receives Report of Incident Near Hodeidah Port

United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Saturday received a report of an incident approximately 55 nautical miles (nM) south west of Yemen's Hodeidah port where "the master reported a loud bang and a flash on the port bow of the vessel."

The vessel is proceeding to the next port of call, UKMTO said in an advisory note.

Authorities are investigating and vessels are advised to transit with caution, UKMTO added.

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis, who control much of Yemen including the capital Sanaa, have stepped up attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea in protest against Israel's war in Gaza.

Several shipping lines have suspended operations through the Red Sea waterway in response to the attacks, instead taking the longer journey around Africa.

The Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks until Israel halts the conflict in Gaza, and warned that it would attack U.S. warships if the militia group itself was targeted.

(Reuters - Reporting by Enas Alashray and Hatem Maher; Editing by Jan Harvey and Marguerita Choy)