Coal Explosion Rocks Bulk Carrier in Baltimore Waters

Baltimore has once again found itself at the center of a maritime safety scare. On Monday evening, the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier W Sapphire erupted in a blast while navigating the Patapsco River, not far from the demolition site of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge.

 

The 751-foot vessel had just departed CSX’s Curtis Bay terminal, loaded with coal bound for Mauritius, when the explosion struck around 6:30 p.m. local time. City officials confirmed the situation was contained and that all 23 crew members escaped unharmed. Fire units rushed to the scene by both land and water, supported by tugboats that towed the stricken vessel to safe anchorage.

 

The U.S. Coast Guard has launched an investigation, though Baltimore’s limited fireboat resources once again highlight the city’s vulnerability in maritime emergencies. Unlike New York or Los Angeles, Baltimore still lacks a Vessel Traffic Service – an absence that experts say hampers both oversight and rapid response.

 

A Cargo with a Dark History

 

Coal has long been notorious as one of the deadliest bulk cargoes. From spontaneous combustion and methane buildup to coal dust explosions, it has been claiming ships for centuries. As far back as the 18th century, mariners warned of its dangers, and even today international shipping codes demand strict monitoring of temperature, gas emissions, and ventilation. Recent warnings from the UK P&I Club point to hazardous methane levels in coal exported from the U.S. East Coast.

 

Safety Questions Linger

 

The timing of this incident could not be worse. Baltimore is still reeling from the collapse of the Key Bridge in March last year, which killed six workers and left the port paralyzed for months. Now, as demolition continues, a new disaster has underscored unresolved concerns about port safety.

 

Perhaps the most damning fact is that, 17 months after the Dali tragedy, federal agencies have yet to schedule a single public hearing into lessons learned. The absence of a traffic management system and a culture of delay in safety reforms leave Baltimore exposed – not just to accidents, but to preventable tragedies.

 

Source: gCaptain

Picture: Screenshot from video, X, @AZ_Intel_