Baltimore Harbor Cargo Ship Explosion: Fort McHenry Channel Reopens, Ensuring Safe Coal Transport

The Fort McHenry Federal Channel in Baltimore was reopened Tuesday following an investigation into an explosion aboard the cargo ship W-Sapphire near the Key Bridge site, which temporarily closed the channel on Monday evening. The W-Sapphire, a 751-foot bulk carrier shipping coal, reported an explosion approximately at 6:30 p.m. as it left the Baltimore Harbor via the Patapsco River. The ship, which has 23 crew members on board, remains anchored close to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge awaiting a safety evaluation by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Authorities confirmed there were no injuries among the crew. John Marsh, a spokesman for the Baltimore City Fire Department, noted the vessel displayed signs of damage consistent with a fire and explosion. Marsh confirmed that both land and water units responded rapidly to the incident, with firefighting operations involving both traditional units and specialized fireboats.

Numerous agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, collaborated to extinguish the fire and maintain a radius for safety around the damaged vessel. As experts commenced their investigation, the Coast Guard imposed a 2,000-yard safety zone around the site. The W-Sapphire will remain at its current location until comprehensive inspections confirm it is safe to proceed.

Concerns over coal debris were addressed, as investigators employed sonar technology to locate and plan the removal of floating debris, including a hatch blown overboard during the explosion. With support from the Baltimore and Chesapeake Bay Shipwatchers, officials noted that coal shipments of this magnitude are routine, occurring several times weekly from the CSX Coal Dock.

The incident reignited memories of the Key Bridge collapse in 2024 when the Dali container ship lost power and struck the bridge, leading to extensive damage and fatalities. Although current reports do not link the recent explosion to the previous incident, residents like Tim Holt, who reflected on the blast and the past catastrophe, were reminded of concerns over shipping operations and infrastructure.

Mike Singer, a representative from the Baltimore and Chesapeake Bay Shipwatchers group, described the ship as fully loaded with coal, which aligns with the port's typical operations involving multiple full-capacity shipments per week. The W-Sapphire, a vessel built in 2012 under a Liberian flag, was destined for East Africa, specifically the Port of Mauritius, at the time of the explosion.

While the cause of the explosion remains under investigation, Maryland Governor Wes Moore has assured that state authorities are in continuous coordination with local and federal agencies to assess the situation and gather further information. His office released a statement underscoring their commitment to monitoring developments and addressing any arising concerns about safety and commerce.

The incident thus far has not resulted in property damage beyond the ship itself, and efforts to resume normal operations at the port have been a priority. The reopening of the Fort McHenry Federal Channel on Tuesday was expedited with assistance from various port partners, including tugs and pilots, underscoring the region's resilient infrastructure and cohesive emergency response framework.

This maritime incident is part of ongoing discussions regarding regional maritime safety and infrastructure resilience, particularly pertinent given the challenges facing ports worldwide due to unexpected disruptions. Maintaining this dialogue remains crucial as Baltimore's shipping industry continues to navigate and mitigate risks effectively.