The U.S. Coast Guard reopened the Fort McHenry Federal Channel leading to the Port of Baltimore on the afternoon of August 19, following an explosion and fire aboard the bulk carrier W-Sapphire.

As of noon on Tuesday, August 19, more than a dozen large vessels were waiting near the Fort McHenry Federal Channel while the Coast Guard conducted its investigation into the incident.

AIS signals showed multiple ships anchored south of the port in the Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis, Maryland. These included container ships operated by MSC and CMA CGM, along with bulk carriers and two vehicle carriers unable to enter Baltimore after all ship traffic had been suspended on the Patapsco River. Additional vessels were also waiting at Dundalk and Sparrows Point. Ship movements resumed after 5:00 PM local time, though some traffic restrictions remained in place.

The Port of Baltimore had earlier stated that the Coast Guard would “determine when the channel can be safely reopened and when vessels may arrive and depart.”

The W-Sapphire (81,681 dwt) remains anchored in the channel with several tugs alongside. The vessel, built in 2012, is registered in Liberia and managed by a Greek company. In February 2025, it was cited by Australian authorities for fire safety issues during a port state inspection, and in May, it received 11 deficiencies during an expanded inspection in Spain. Issues included problems with the gyrocompass, magnetic compass, fire safety, and crew welfare, though the ship was not detained.

The Baltimore Fire Department reported assisting with firefighting below deck. The fire has been extinguished, but visible damage from the explosion and subsequent blaze was observed. The ship’s crew reported that Hold No. 2 began taking on water after the explosion, but the vessel remained afloat and navigable.

The Coast Guard noted that during the explosion, a hatch cover detached and fell into the water. Its exact location was initially unknown. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deployed a survey vessel equipped with sonar to the scene around 7:30 AM on Tuesday. The missing hatch cover has reportedly been located.