Baltimore Coal Ship Explosion Halts Port Traffic for 20 Hours, No Injuries Reported

A coal-loaded Liberian vessel exploded near Baltimore’s collapsed Key Bridge site, forcing a 20-hour port closure. All 25 onboard were safe, Coast Guard investigating.

A dramatic explosion struck the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier W. Sapphire Monday evening while it was sailing through the Patapsco River, close to the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse earlier this year. The 751-foot vessel, laden with coal, was engulfed in flames after the blast, though all 23 crew members and two pilots escaped without injury.

The incident unfolded around 6:30 p.m. in the federal Fort McHenry channel, prompting the U.S. Coast Guard to suspend marine traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore for more than 20 hours. Officials reported that a large hatch was blown into the water. Using sonar-equipped Army Corps vessels, authorities scanned the riverbed before reopening the channel Tuesday afternoon, when ships quickly resumed transit.

Eyewitnesses described a sudden fireball and heavy smoke, with nearby pleasure boats forced to retreat. The Sapphire later anchored safely near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge while investigators worked to determine the cause.

The U.S. Coast Guard highlighted that coal cargoes present significant hazards, pointing to a February 2024 safety alert that cited methane buildup and poor storage practices as triggers for explosions on other vessels. Analysts note that while Baltimore remains a major coal export hub, incidents like this underline the need for stricter monitoring of bulk carriers transporting volatile cargo.