13-Year-Old Mauritius-Bound Coal Ship Rocked by Explosion

A coal-laden bulk carrier destined for Mauritius became the center of a dramatic maritime emergency Monday evening when a violent explosion and fire erupted aboard the vessel shortly after its departure from the Port of Baltimore, in the U.S.

The 81,681 dwt MV W Sapphire, managed by Greece-based W Marine, had just cleared Curtis Bay Terminal around 6:30 pm when a blast tore through its forward cargo hold.

Eyewitness footage captured a fireball shooting skyward, followed by an 80-meter smoke plume near the remains of the Francis Scott Key Bridge—the site of a recent catastrophic bridge collapse that killed six workers. Local residents reported hearing the detonation and feeling ground vibrations.

Baltimore City Fire Department and U.S. Coast Guard crews raced to the Liberian-flagged vessel, escorting it to a safe anchorage. All 23 crew members and two pilots were unharmed.

American authorities confirmed no pollution or onshore damage, but established a safety perimeter as investigations began.

Mauritius-Bound

The 13-year-old bulker carrying coal was expected to reach Port Louis on September 23, but now remains under US Coast Guard hold.

With inputs from: WION, Splash247.com