Riyadh – Mubasher: Saudi Arabia has intercepted an explosive-laden boat off the Red Sea port of Yanbu on Tuesday.

Security firm Dryad Global earlier said it received "unconfirmed reports" of an attack on a vessel that might be the oil tanker NCC Dammam owned by a subsidiary of the National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri), Reuters reported.

CEO of Bahri Abdullah Aldubaikhi meanwhile said no vessels owned by the company had been attacked.

UK maritime security company Ambry cited reports of an incident and said smoke was seen rising from a vessel.

Official Spokesman of the Saudi Ministry of Defense Turki Al Malki said, “A bomb-laden Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) was intercepted and destroyed," according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

He confirmed that investigations are being carried out to reach more details regarding “this hostile act” and determine the responsible party.