Video: Greek bulker suffers explosion in Baltimore Harbor

The US Coast Guard confirmed that no injuries were reported from the incident aboard W-Sapphire, a 2012-built Kamsarmax bulk carrier owned by Greece’s W Marine. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.

According to the Coast Guard, the fire has been extinguished and response plans for the vessel are being developed. MarineTraffic data shows W-Sapphire is currently at anchor.

“We are aware of the cargo ship fire near the Baltimore Harbor and we are monitoring. At this time, there are no reports of injuries or property damage beyond the ship,” the Maryland Department of Emergency Management stated in a post on X.

W Marine has been contacted for comment.

How the incident unfolded

The Coast Guard reported that W-Sapphire was outbound from Baltimore Harbor at the time of the explosion, carrying 23 crew members and two pilots. The ship, reportedly loaded with coal, was south of Fort Carroll when the blast occurred.

At around 6:30 pm local time, Coast Guard watchstanders in Sector Maryland–National Capital Region received a distress call reporting an explosion aboard the vessel.

Responders were dispatched to the scene, and an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast was issued to nearby mariners. The Coast Guard has since established a 1,800-m safety zone around the location, extending from the Key Bridge to Brewerton Angle Channel Lighted Buoy 14.

The incident reportedly took place near the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was destroyed last year in a collision with a container vessel.

US media noted that Baltimore, a leading US coal export hub handling about 20M short tonnes annually, plays a key role in global energy markets and requires vigilant oversight.

W Sapphire, outbound from Baltimore near the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge, suffered an explosion in its forward hold.

The ship has been escorted off Fort Howard and fire and @USCG vessels are on scene.

W Sapphire is a fully loaded bulk carrier sailing to Mauritius. pic.twitter.com/Vyn9oWQIjR

— Sal Mercogliano (WGOW Shipping) 🚢⚓🐪🚒🏴‍☠️ (@mercoglianos)

MV W Sapphire, outbound from Baltimore near the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge, suffered an explosion in its forward hold.

The ship has been escorted off Fort Howard and fire and @USCG vessels are on scene.

W Sapphire is a fully loaded bulk carrier sailing to Mauritius. pic.twitter.com/Vyn9oWQIjR

— Sal Mercogliano (WGOW Shipping) 🚢⚓🐪🚒🏴‍☠️ (@mercoglianos) August 18, 2025