Explosion Rocks Coal Carrier Near Baltimore's Key Bridge

An explosion occurred aboard the 751-foot bulk carrier W-Sapphire in Baltimore Harbor on Monday evening, August 18, 2025. The vessel, carrying a full load of coal, was outbound from the Port of Baltimore when the blast took place near the site of the former Francis Scott Key Bridge. The explosion resulted in a significant fire and a plume of smoke over the Patapsco River, but fortunately, no injuries were reported among the 23 crew members and two pilots on board.

The U.S. Coast Guard and Baltimore City Fire Department responded promptly to the incident. Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze while the ship was still moving, and the vessel remained afloat throughout the ordeal. A 500-yard safety zone was established around the ship, temporarily restricting vessel traffic through the main shipping channel. The cause of the explosion is currently under investigation.

The W-Sapphire, a Liberian-flagged vessel built in 2012, was en route to Port Louis, Mauritius, at the time of the explosion. The ship had just departed from the CSX Coal Dock, where it docks four to six times per week. The explosion was reported at 6:28 p.m., and the ship was carrying a full load of coal.

This incident occurred near the site of the former Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed in March 2024 after a cargo ship struck one of its supporting columns, resulting in the deaths of six construction workers. The bridge was destroyed, and the Port of Baltimore’s main shipping channel was closed for several months following the collapse.

The Port of Baltimore’s main shipping channel was temporarily closed following the explosion, but it has since been reopened. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with the Coast Guard and other partners to ensure the safety of the harbor and its operations.