Shipping giant Maersk reported on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, that one of its vessels, the Maersk Sentosa, was targeted by a flying object in the northern Gulf of Aden earlier in the day.

Maersk confirmed that there were no injuries to crew members and no damage to the ship or its cargo, according to Reuters.

A spokesperson for the Copenhagen-based company stated that the ship, flying the US flag, was sailing for its subsidiary, Maersk Line Limited.

Separately, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued an advisory on Tuesday, stating that the captain of a commercial vessel reported an explosion near their location, approximately 180 nautical miles (333 kilometers) east of Nishtun, Yemen.

The UKMTO confirmed that the vessel and its crew are safe.

Since November 2023, the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization by the international community, has continued its attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Gulf of Aden using missiles and drones.

These attacks have led to increased maritime insurance costs and prompted many international shipping companies to opt for the significantly longer route around the southern tip of Africa.

To deter the Houthis and protect maritime navigation, the United States formed a multinational coalition in December 2023. US forces have been conducting strikes against Houthi military targets on an intermittent basis.