A commercial tanker sailing close to the southern coast of Yemen reported a nearby explosion and sent maritime officials on a high level of alert. The UKMTO said the crew was not injured and an investigation was carried out.
The explosion happened about 95 nautical miles southeast of Aden, a port city in Yemen. The ship’s master told UKMTO that a loud blast was heard close to the ship when it moved through the Gulf of Aden. No crew were injured or damage to the ship was done, despite the incident.
The reason for the explosion was still not identified. It is not clear if the explosion was directed by a missile, drone, explosive device, or some kind of source. Maritime security agencies are collecting information to find out what happened.
Yemeni forces managed to strike the Saudi oil tanker "Daisy" in the Gulf of Aden.#Saudiarabia #Yemen #Iranwar #Internationalleaks pic.twitter.com/iLzaAYl1J0
— International Leaks (@Internl_Leaks) August 6, 2026
The Gulf of Aden is one of the world’s most important commercial shipping routes connecting the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Any security incident in this region is closely monitored because it can affect global trade, energy shipments, and international maritime traffic.
The latest report comes as security remains an issue in the Red Sea and nearby waters. Commercial vessels have come under increased threat as regional tensions have worsened and several shipping companies have increased security measures and, in some cases, changed their sailing routes.
Some regional media reports indicated that a missile may have been launched from Houthi-controlled territory at the time of the incident.
تمكنت القوات المسلحة اليمنية _بفضل الله_ من استهداف سفينة "Daisy" النفطية السعودية في خليج عدن وذلك بصاروخ باليستي وقد حققت العملية هدفها بنجاح بفضل الله، وتم إصابة السفينة وإجبارها على العودة.
— العميد يحيى سريع (@Yahya_Saree) August 5, 2026
يأتي هذا الاستهداف في إطار فرض قرار حظر الملاحة البحرية على العدو السعودي وفق معادلة…
But authorities have not made any connection between those reports and the explosion near the tanker. No group had claimed responsibility at the time UKMTO issued its latest advisory.
After the incident, UKMTO advised ships operating in the area to remain vigilant and to follow the security procedures and keep the security protocols safe and follow standard ship procedures.
Vessel operators were also advised to report any suspicious activity or unusual events to maritime authorities immediately to protect ships in the area so that safety in the area is maintained.
International naval forces patrol the Gulf of Aden and the surrounding waters to guard commercial shipping from any dangers. The latest explosion underscores the continuing dangers of shipping through one of the busiest maritime corridors in the world.
The shipping companies will monitor developments closely as investigators probe the explosion's root cause. We will be updated when there is more to know about the explosion now, they say.
Although the tanker continued to run and all crew were safe, it was another reminder of the delicate security situation in waters around Yemen.
Shipping experts say shipping operators should be cautious as geopolitical tensions continue to make it difficult to navigate safely.
