The Baltimore Port shipping channel was temporarily shut following a dramatic bulker explosion aboard the Liberia-flagged W-Sapphire, a 751-foot bulk carrier departing Baltimore Harbor on Monday, August 18, 2025 (local time). Initial reports indicate the vessel, carrying a cargo of coal, suffered an onboard blast that blew a hatch cover into the water, prompting a rapid, multi-agency response and the closure of the Fort McHenry Federal Channel—the main artery for deep-draft traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore. Officials later confirmed the main channel’s-controlled reopening on Tuesday after debris recovery and safety checks.
According to maritime authorities, there were no injuries among the 23 crew members and two pilots on board the W-Sapphire. Firefighting and response crews reported visible damage consistent with fire and explosion but no impacts beyond the ship itself. The Port of Baltimore closure began as a precaution while responders established a safety zone and worked to identify and retrieve the dislodged hatch cover from the channel, a critical step before allowing vessel traffic to resume through the Fort McHenry Federal Channel.
The incident unfolded near the site of the 2024 Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, adding sensitivity to any navigation restrictions in the area. The U.S. Coast Guard set a safety perimeter—reported as up to 2,000 yards—to secure the scene for inspections, firefighting below decks, and debris recovery operations. Video shared by local media and maritime outlets showed intense flames and a plume of smoke as the bulker explosion occurred during the ship’s outbound transit. As part of the response, multiple tugs, pilots, and port partners coordinated to stabilize the situation and prevent secondary hazards while traffic was halted.
By late Tuesday, authorities announced the Fort McHenry Federal Channel had reopened, easing pressure on Baltimore’s maritime flow. The W-Sapphire was subsequently anchored in the Chesapeake region for further inspection pending regulatory and safety reviews. The swift reopening helped limit the duration of the Port of Baltimore closure, which had the potential to ripple across regional supply chains still mindful of the disruptions that followed last year’s bridge disaster.
Maritime incident data highlighted that the W-Sapphire (81,681 dwt), built in 2012 and registered in Liberia, is managed from Greece. Trade press noted the vessel had previously drawn inspection findings this year—information now likely to be examined closely as investigators piece together the technical cause of the bulker explosion. While it is premature to assign causation, the nature of coal cargoes and their handling will be part of routine lines of inquiry for marine safety officials, alongside checks on onboard systems and operational procedures followed during departure.
The Baltimore Port shipping channel is a vital gateway for autos, bulk commodities, and containerized cargo. Even a brief Port of Baltimore closure can create backlogs, forcing pilots and ship operators to re-sequence transits and tug resources. On Tuesday’s reopening, port authorities thanked pilots, tugs, and industry stakeholders for expediting safe restoration of traffic. The incident underscores how quickly a single shipboard emergency can cascade into broader navigational restrictions, and why fast, coordinated responses are essential to protecting both mariners and maritime commerce.
As investigations proceed, stakeholders will watch for updates on the condition of the W-Sapphire, any temporary operating limits at the Fort McHenry Federal Channel, and potential advisories for vessels carrying combustible bulk cargoes. For now, trade flows through Baltimore are resuming, with harbour pilots and Coast Guard teams continuing to monitor the channel, ensuring the waterway remains safe following the bulker explosion that briefly shuttered the Baltimore Port shipping channel.
Source: (gCaptain) (Maritime Executive)
