Explosion Reported on Bulk Carrier in Baltimore Harbor

On August 18, the U.S. Coast Guard reported an explosion aboard the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier W-Sapphire while the vessel was in Baltimore Harbor, USA. The ship, loaded with coal, was sailing from Baltimore to Port Louis, Mauritius, with 23 crew members and two pilots onboard. No injuries were reported.

The blast occurred around 6:30 p.m. local time, just south of Fort Carroll. Following the incident, the W-Sapphire’s crew sent a distress call on VHF Channel 16, which was received by Coast Guard Sector Maryland–National Capital Region. Multiple Coast Guard boats responded, supported by the Baltimore Fire Department and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police, who assisted with firefighting and emergency measures.

Officials confirmed that the fire caused by the explosion was quickly contained. As a safety measure, the Coast Guard established a 1.8-kilometer exclusion zone, stretching from the Key Bridge to Brewerton Angle Channel Lighted Buoy 14. An Urgent Marine Information Broadcast was also issued to alert nearby mariners.

The cause of the incident is still under investigation, while authorities work to determine the vessel’s next course of action.