A merchant vessel in the Arabian Sea reported an explosion in close proximity to it on Monday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.
UKMTO said the crew was reported safe and the vessel was proceeding to its next port of call.
The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) later identified the vessel as Liberian-flagged container MSC SARAH V, saying it was attacked by a missile while navigating the Arabian Sea but was not hit. The ship was sailing 246 nautical miles southeast of Yemen's Nishtun.
The ship reported a missile landing in the water approximately 50 meters off the starboard side of the ship, JMIC said.
"The vessel was likely attacked due to perceived Israeli association," JMIC's note added.
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militias have been launching drone and missile strikes in shipping lanes since November, saying that are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Israel's war in Gaza.
In dozens of attacks, the Houthis have sunk two vessels, seized another and killed at least three seafarers.
A Houthi military spokesman said in a statement that the militias used a remote-controlled vessel to make a direct hit against the Transworld Navigator bulk carrier in the Red Sea.
He also claimed that the Houthis attacked the Stolt Sequoia in the Indian Ocean with a number of cruise missiles.
In a statement on Sunday, the US Central Command said this was the fourth time the militias target the Transworld Navigator.
The crew reported minor injuries and moderate damage to the ship, but the vessel has continued underway, it said on the X platform.
"This continued malign and reckless behavior by the Iranian-backed Houthis threatens regional stability and endangers the lives of mariners across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden," it added.
"CENTCOM will continue to act with partners to hold the Houthis accountable and degrade their military capabilities," it vowed.
