Tanker on fire off Saudi Arabia after strike by 'unknown projectile': maritime agency

A tanker struck by an "unknown projectile" caught fire off Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast on Monday, a British maritime agency said, as Yemen's Houthis target Saudi shipping after declaring a maritime blockade.

"The Company Security Officer reported a tanker has been struck by unknown projectile causing a fire to the vessel on the main deck," said the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

"All crew are safe and accounted for and no environmental impact has been reported," it added.

The incident took place 63 nautical miles west from the Saudi city of Yanbu, the agency reported. Yanbu lies hundreds of kilometres north of Yemen.

British maritime security firm Vanguard Tech said a Saudi-flagged vessel had been hit by a missile and caught fire.

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis have been attacking the kingdom's ships after they declared last month a maritime blockade of their Saudi foes.