Saudi oil tanker Amjad was not targeted in Red Sea, owner Bahri says

Saudi oil tanker Amjad was not targeted in Red Sea, owner Bahri says

Saudi shipping firm Bahri said on Tuesday its tanker Amjad was not targeted in a Red Sea attack, and that it had been spared any damage from the incident that hit another tanker that was sailing nearby.

The U.S. Central Command said Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked two crude oil tankers - the Saudi-flagged Amjad and the Panama-flagged Blue Lagoon I - in the Red Sea on Monday with two ballistic missiles and a one-way attack uncrewed aerial system, hitting both vessels.

"We unequivocally affirm that AMJAD was not targeted and sustained no injuries or damage. The vessel remains fully operational and is proceeding to her planned destination without interruption," Bahri, which owns and manages Amjad, said in a statement titled "Unexplained aerial activity reported".

"Bahri has promptly informed all relevant authorities and remains in continuous communication with our crew as we vigilantly monitor the situation," it added.

The Houthis late on Monday claimed responsibility for targeting the Blue Lagoon with multiple missiles and drones but did not make any mention of the Saudi tanker.

Both vessels were laden with crude oil, with the Amjad carrying about two million barrels of oil, according to the U.S. military statement, which described the attacks as "reckless acts of terrorism by the Houthis."

Two sources had told Reuters on Monday that the ships were sailing near each other when they were hit but were able to continue their voyages with no major damage or casualties.

One of the sources told Reuters the Amjad was unlikely to have been directly targeted.