Explosions reported in Bab al-Mandab after overnight US strikes on Houthis

An explosion was reported near a vessel in the chokepoint of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, UK Maritime Trade Operations said Jan. 24, as the shipping industry remained on high alert over Houthi rebel attacks.

The explosion occurred 50 nautical miles south of Al-Mukha, Yemen. Iran-backed Houthi rebels control large swaths of land in the country and have been firing missiles at merchant ships in recent months.

"Master reports an explosion approximately 100 meters from the vessel on its starboard side," the UKMTO said on its website. "Vessel and crew are safe, no injuries or damage reported."

The ship's identity could not be immediately confirmed.

Container line stops transits via strait

Meanwhile, container line A.P. Moller-Maersk said its US arm is halting ship transits via the strait until further notice for crew safety, after two of its ships reported explosions nearby.

While carrying cargo for the US government and being escorted by the US Navy, the 6,700-teu Maersk Detroit and 2,500-teu Maersk Chesapeake turned around in the Red Sea after the explosions, according to Maersk.

The US-flagged ships operated by Maersk's US arm, Maersk Line, have sailed back to the Gulf of Aden under the navy's protection without damage or injuries.

The incidents came as US Central Command said it conducted overnight strikes against two Houthi anti-ship missiles that were aimed at the southern Red Sea.

Moreover, CENTCOM confirmed that the Houthis fired three missiles at the Maersk Detroit at 2 pm local time (1100 GMT) and that the USS Gravely shot down two other missiles.

Mounting concerns

Since Jan. 11, US and UK forces have launched several defensive counterattacks on Houthi sites in Yemen in attempts to protect freedom of navigation.

The previous Houthi attack on shipping in the Red Sea was recorded late Jan. 17, when a drone struck the US-owned and operated, 55,300-dwt bulk carrier Genco Picard.

The Houthis have threatened to attack ships linked to Israel, the US and the UK in support of Iran-backed Hamas in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, and dozens of related incidents have been reported since November.

Major container lines and tanker operators, including Mediterranean Shipping Co. and Euronav, have been rerouting their ships from Red Sea to take the longer Cape of Good Hope route, adding two weeks to their voyage time on many occasions and consequently consuming more bunker fuel.

Daily ship transits through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, stood at 40 as of Jan. 22 and remained 40% below early December levels, S&P Global's Maritime Intelligence Risk Suite data shows. This was up, however, from a historical low of 18 transits Jan. 15.