Update (0955ET):
New photos circulating show the damaged cargo ship MV W Sapphire after an explosion tore through its forward hold near the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge on Monday evening. The vessel was passing through Baltimore’s Inner Harbor shipping lane at the time of the incident, shortly after leaving the CSX coal dock with a full load.
Shipping expert Sal Mercogliano mentioned that the ship is currently anchored just north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The images indicate that the number 1 hatch was blown open, suggesting that the explosion may have been caused by a mixture of methane and coal.
W Sapphire is still anchored just north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.
This image shows the #1 hatch cover lying on top of the ship, indicating that the explosion – probably from a methane buildup, along with some coal – displaced it.
The ship will need to be surveyed &… https://t.co/Ad0o46JJTQ pic.twitter.com/stTtp0hKLS
— Sal Mercogliano (WGOW Shipping) 🚢⚓🐪🚒🏴☠️ (@mercoglianos) August 19, 2025
An aerial view shows significant damage to the number 1 hatch.
Aerial photo showing the damaged ship. #MVWSapphire pic.twitter.com/KXAmOqfvs3
— Andrew Doyle (@doyle0213) August 19, 2025
More information about the incident from MarineTraffic….
Fire on ship near Baltimore prompts rapid coast guard response
An #explosion aboard the W-Sapphire, a 751-foot cargo vessel en route to Mauritius, interrupted her departure from #Baltimore near the Francis Scott Key Bridge. #MarineTraffic data show the vessel departed at… pic.twitter.com/0lglOSdQHv
— MarineTraffic (@MarineTraffic) August 19, 2025
* * *
There has been an explosion reported on a cargo ship in the outbound shipping lane of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor near the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge.
NEW – Cargo ship explodes near Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland. pic.twitter.com/oQKld5xY4R
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) August 19, 2025
According to Sal Mercogliano, the cargo ship MV W Sapphire “experienced an explosion in its forward hold” and was “fully loaded” at the time of the incident.
MV W Sapphire, outbound from Baltimore near the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge, suffered an explosion in its forward hold.
The ship has been escorted off Fort Howard and fire and @USCG vessels are on scene.
W Sapphire is a fully loaded bulk carrier sailing to Mauritius. pic.twitter.com/Vyn9oWQIjR
— Sal Mercogliano (WGOW Shipping) 🚢⚓🐪🚒🏴☠️ (@mercoglianos) August 18, 2025
Mercogliano also mentioned that the W Sapphire “had just left the CSX Curtis Bay coal piers in Baltimore” and suggested that “this may have been a coal explosion in the forward hold.”
Shipping expert John Konrad mentioned, “Coal can create methane and is subject to self-heating and liquefaction. Bulkers can explode…”
Sal has confirmed the explosion of a ship in Baltimore. This is a bulk carrier.
We don’t know the cargo but Baltimore is a major exporter of coal & Mauritius is a coal importer.
Coal can create methane and is subject to self-heating and liquefaction. Bulkers can explode… 1/4 https://t.co/JQ0VAPlmwR
— John Ʌ Konrad V (@johnkonrad) August 19, 2025
Baltimore City Fire spokesperson John Marsh informed local station WBAL-TV that the explosion occurred around 6:28 p.m. local time. No details were provided regarding the cause of the blast.
*Developing…
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