Baltimore

Headline should read, “There was an explosion on a ship in Baltimore Harbor” When I watched the video, I was expecting an earth-shattering kaboom as the entire ship exploded. Where was the earth-shattering kaboom?

What We Know

• Explosion Confirmed: On August 18, 2025, at approximately 6:28 PM EDT, an explosion occurred aboard the MV W-Sapphire, a 751-foot Liberian-registered bulk carrier loaded with coal, as it was departing Baltimore Harbor for East Africa. The explosion took place near the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed on March 26, 2024, after being struck by the container ship Dali. The incident involved a fire and explosion in the ship’s forward hold, producing a large plume of smoke and flames visible in video footage.
• No Injuries: Authorities, including the Baltimore City Fire Department and the U.S. Coast Guard, confirmed that all 23 crew members and two pilots on board were accounted for and uninjured. There were no reports of property damage beyond the ship itself.
• Cause Under Investigation: The cause of the explosion is still under investigation. Shipping expert Sal Mercogliano suggested it may have resulted from a methane buildup mixed with coal, as evidenced by the #1 hatch cover being blown open. Coal, a major export from Baltimore, can produce methane and is subject to self-heating, which could lead to explosions.
• Channel Closure: The Port of Baltimore’s Fort McHenry Federal Channel was closed on August 19, 2025, pending safety assessments by the U.S. Coast Guard, which established a 2,000-yard safety zone around the vessel. No timeline for reopening has been provided.
• Proximity to Bridge Collapse Site: The explosion occurred near the remains of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed in 2024 after the Dali lost power and struck a support pillar, killing six construction workers. The proximity has raised concerns due to the port’s history of disruptions, but the incidents are unrelated.