Baltimore’s maritime sector faced fresh turbulence on Monday evening when a Greek-owned bulk carrier suffered a dramatic explosion shortly after leaving port.
The W Sapphire, an 81,681 dwt Liberian-flagged coal carrier managed by Athens-based W Marine, had just cleared CSX’s Curtis Bay terminal at around 6:30 p.m. when a powerful blast tore through its forward cargo section. The explosion sent fireballs skyward and created a towering 80-meter smoke plume visible near the already collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge. Local residents reported hearing the detonation and feeling their homes shake from the vibrations.
Despite the intensity of the blast, all 23 crew members and two pilots were safely accounted for, with no injuries reported. The 13-year-old vessel, fully laden with coal and bound for Port Louis, Mauritius, was swiftly assisted by tugboats and escorted to anchorage. It now remains under the watch of the U.S. Coast Guard, which has established an exclusion zone around the ship.
Preliminary assessments indicate no immediate pollution from the incident. Investigators are exploring potential causes, including spontaneous coal combustion or ignition of coal dust within the holds.
The incident marks yet another blow to Baltimore’s shipping industry, which has been grappling with disruptions since the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge earlier this year.