On board were 23 crew members and 2 pilots, all safe and sound
Baltimore – Another incident occurred in the port of Baltimore on Monday evening when an alarm was triggered for a Greek-owned coal-carrying vessel. A violent explosion took place as the ship was departing the port. The vessel involved is the W Sapphire, an 81,681 deadweight tonnage (dwt) bulk carrier flying the Liberian flag and managed by the Athens-based company W Marine. The incident happened around 6:30 PM (local time), shortly after the ship had left the Curtis Bay terminal. The explosion affected the forward cargo section, with flames and a smoke column over 80 meters high visible near the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which had collapsed months earlier. Some residents reported hearing the blast and feeling vibrations in their homes. On board were 23 crew members and 2 pilots, all safe and sound, with no reports of injuries. The ship, built 13 years ago and loaded with coal bound for Port Louis in Mauritius, was quickly assisted by tugboats and moved to an anchorage area, where it remains under the supervision of the U.S. Coast Guard. Initial checks indicate no pollutant leaks, but investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the explosion.
BREAKING: A Cargo ship just exploded in Baltimore Harbor in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland.
The timing I hope is coincidental in nature. /8MXglW71NM
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) August 18, 2025
