Shipping data and British maritime security business Ambrey have shown that two commercial ships that veered off course in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden were affiliated with the same nautical group whose vessel was taken over by Yemen’s Houthis.

A British-owned and Japanese-operated cargo ship was taken over by the Houthis in the southern Red Sea on Sunday, according to Israel, which called the event a “Iranian act of terrorism” with implications for global marine security.

The Houthis, an ally of Tehran, confirmed that they had seized a ship in that area but described it as Israeli.

Japan’s top government spokesperson on Monday confirmed the capture of the Nippon Yusen-operated ship Galaxy Leader, adding that Japan was appealing to the Houthis while seeking the help of Saudi, Omani and Iranian authorities to work toward the swift release of the vessel and its crew.

Two other ships also listed as commercially managed by Ray Car Carriers, Glovis Star and Hermes Leader, diverted their sailing routes on Sunday, Ambrey said on Monday.

The Hermes Leader had set a course to sail south of Nishtun in Yemen when it diverted its journey.