Port Update
Philadelphia / Delaware River & Bay
August 20, 2025
Notices
Moran Shipping Agencies at Port Philadelphia & Wilmington, DE & Baltimore, MD
Port Security - MARSEC Level 1
Local Time – GMT - 4
Bulk Carrier Explosion - Baltimore - 8/20/2025 - Update
Vessel – MV Sapphire / 751-foot merchant vessel W-Sapphire in Baltimore
It is our understanding that the U.S. Coast Guard will soon be reopening the Fort McHenry Federal Channel, allowing vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore.
Based on preliminary information, the maximum allowable draft upon reopening is expected to be 46'6". However, vessels exceeding this draft may be permitted to transit subject to tidal restrictions.
We are aware that some vessels are already preparing to move in anticipation of the reopening but will not be in the affected area until the channel is officially open.
That said, we want to emphasize that we are still awaiting formal notification from the U.S. Coast Guard, as no Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) has been issued at this time.
Small Craft Advisory
URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
430 AM EDT Wed Aug 20 2025
ANZ454-455-202200-
/O.NEW.KPHI.TR.W.1005.250820T0830Z-000000T0000Z/
/O.CON.KPHI.SC.Y.0080.000000T0000Z-250821T1000Z/
/O.CAN.KPHI.GL.A.0013.250821T1000Z-250822T1000Z/
Coastal waters from Cape May NJ to Cape Henlopen DE out 20 nm-
Coastal waters from Cape Henlopen to Fenwick Island DE out 20 nm-
430 AM EDT Wed Aug 20 2025
...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT...
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EDT
THURSDAY...
...GALE WATCH IS CANCELLED...
* WHAT...For the Tropical Storm Warning, northeast winds 25 to 35
kt with gusts up to 45 kt and seas 11 to 16 ft. For the Small
Craft Advisory, east winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt
and seas 6 to 9 ft.
* WHERE...Coastal waters from Cape May NJ to Cape Henlopen DE
out 20 nm and Coastal waters from Cape Henlopen to Fenwick
Island DE out 20 nm.
* WHEN...For the Small Craft Advisory, until 6 AM EDT Thursday.
For the Tropical Storm Warning, Tropical Storm force winds
possible from Thursday morning through Thursday night.
* IMPACTS...Tropical storm force winds and hazardous seas will
capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Mariners should alter plans to avoid these hazardous conditions.
Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure the
vessel for hazardous conditions.
Tropical Storm Warning
URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
430 AM EDT Wed Aug 20 2025
ANZ454-455-202200-
/O.NEW.KPHI.TR.W.1005.250820T0830Z-000000T0000Z/
/O.CON.KPHI.SC.Y.0080.000000T0000Z-250821T1000Z/
/O.CAN.KPHI.GL.A.0013.250821T1000Z-250822T1000Z/
Coastal waters from Cape May NJ to Cape Henlopen DE out 20 nm-
Coastal waters from Cape Henlopen to Fenwick Island DE out 20 nm-
430 AM EDT Wed Aug 20 2025
...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT...
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EDT
THURSDAY...
...GALE WATCH IS CANCELLED...
* WHAT...For the Tropical Storm Warning, northeast winds 25 to 35
kt with gusts up to 45 kt and seas 11 to 16 ft. For the Small
Craft Advisory, east winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt
and seas 6 to 9 ft.
* WHERE...Coastal waters from Cape May NJ to Cape Henlopen DE
out 20 nm and Coastal waters from Cape Henlopen to Fenwick
Island DE out 20 nm.
* WHEN...For the Small Craft Advisory, until 6 AM EDT Thursday.
For the Tropical Storm Warning, Tropical Storm force winds
possible from Thursday morning through Thursday night.
* IMPACTS...Tropical storm force winds and hazardous seas will
capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Mariners should alter plans to avoid these hazardous conditions.
Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure the
vessel for hazardous conditions.
Weather / Marine Zone Forecast
Marine Weather
ANZ400-210115-
853 AM EDT Wed Aug 20 2025
.SYNOPSIS FOR THE COASTAL WATERS FROM SANDY HOOK NJ TO FENWICK
ISLAND DE AND FOR DELAWARE BAY...
High pressure centered over portions of New England will
retreat today as a frontal boundary lifts north into the area.
Hurricane Erin will move north, making its closest approach on
Thursday, but will remain offshore and push farther out to sea.
High pressure will build in for much of the weekend, though
another cold front will approach by the beginning of next week.
ANZ454-210115-Coastal waters from Cape May NJ to Cape Henlopen DE out 20 nm-
853 AM EDT Wed Aug 20 2025
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT
TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT
TODAY
SE winds around 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt. Seas 6 to
8 ft. Wave Detail: SE 7 ft at 15 seconds. A chance of showers
with a slight chance of tstms until late afternoon.
TONIGHT
E winds around 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt,
increasing to 20 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt after midnight.
Seas 6 to 9 ft. Wave Detail: SE 8 ft at 16 seconds and SE 6 ft at
6 seconds.
THU
NE winds 25 to 35 kt with gusts up to 45 kt. Seas 8 to
11 ft, building to 10 to 14 ft in the afternoon. Wave Detail: E
14 ft at 16 seconds and E 9 ft at 8 seconds. A chance of showers.
THU NIGHT
N winds 30 to 35 kt, diminishing to 25 to 30 kt
after midnight. Seas 11 to 15 ft, subsiding to 9 to 13 ft after
midnight. Wave Detail: E 15 ft at 13 seconds and SE 9 ft at
8 seconds. A chance of showers early in the evening.
FRI
N winds 20 to 25 kt, becoming NE 15 to 20 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 9 to 12 ft. Wave Detail: E 12 ft at 12 seconds.
FRI NIGHT
E winds 10 to 15 kt, becoming SE 5 to 10 kt after
midnight. Seas 6 to 9 ft. Wave Detail: E 8 ft at 12 seconds.
SAT
S winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft.
SAT NIGHT
S winds around 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft.
SUN
S winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 5 ft.
SUN NIGHT
S winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 5 ft. A chance of
showers.
Winds and seas higher in and near tstms.
Airport Code – Port Philadelphia, PA (PHL)
Please reply to our Group Email Address phl@moranshipping.com on ALL messages to this office.
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