Two vessels have reportedly been approached and asked to stop by a boat claiming to be from Yemen's coastguard
Security consultancies Ambrey and Dryad Global said the incidents took place in the southern Bab-el-Mandeb strait on Wednesday, 28 nautical miles (52 km) south-east of Perim Island.
Odfjell's 49,000-dwt chemical tanker Bow Orion (built 2019) was approached while underway by a high-speed craft with 10 people on board. Weapons were observed.
The boat came to within 0.4 nautical miles of the port side. It requested the Bow Orion to stop via VHF radio.
The tanker increased its speed, carried out lockdown procedures and the on-board armed security team took position on the bridge of the vessel, Dryad said.
"Prior to this incident the same craft is reported to have approached a bulk carrier, where it attempted communications by VHF, and claimed they were a vessel of the Yemeni coastguard," the company added.
Ninth approach
Dryad said this was the ninth reported approach in the Bab-el-Mandeb this year.
The company believes it is likely the craft was a genuine coastguard vessel, despite the aggression shown.
"Sources indicate that pictures taken by Bow Orion of the craft are comparable to those of Yemeni coastguard craft," Dryad added.
It is understood that the coastguard has increased patrolling in waters beyond its territory in 2020 as a result of the increase in illicit traffic connected with both the war in Yemen and the illegal transit of people and goods, off its southern coast.
"Whilst the approach against the vessels in question is unclear, this is likely part of this wider trend," Dryad said.
The country has been devastated by a civil war between Houthi rebels and a coalition led by Saudi Arabia supporting the return of the government of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.
