On August 18 local time, a coal-carrying cargo ship exploded and caught fire in Baltimore, USA, sending thick plumes of smoke into the air. Fortunately, all 23 crew members on board escaped unharmed.

The U.S. Coast Guard and Baltimore Fire Department quickly responded to the scene and extinguished the blaze.

The vessel involved, named the W-Sapphire, was departing from the Port of Baltimore at the time. According to local officials, a fire below deck caused the smoke to billow into the sky.

Radar records indicate that the W-Sapphire's call sign is D5AF7, with an International Maritime Organization (IMO) number of 9605645 and a U.S. Coast Guard number of 636023364.

Authorities confirmed that the ship sustained damage from the fire and explosion, and the cause of the incident is still under investigation.

The Coast Guard has established a safety zone in the affected waters, which may impact vessel traffic in key shipping channels.

In the latest update, the Baltimore Fire Department stated that the fire has been contained and the vessel has been removed from the area.

The explosion occurred not far from the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed in March 2024 after being struck by the container ship MV Dali. That earlier tragedy resulted in multiple fatalities, disrupted port operations, and reignited concerns about safety at the Port of Baltimore.

Maritime experts emphasize that busy ports and dense cargo traffic make safety management critically important. Incidents like this serve as a reminder to the shipping industry and port authorities to prioritize safety measures.