Port Update

Philadelphia / Delaware River & Bay

August 21, 2025

Notices

Moran Shipping Agencies at Port Philadelphia & Wilmington, DE & Baltimore, MD
Port Security - MARSEC Level 1
Local TimeGMT - 4
 
Bulk Carrier Explosion - Baltimore - 8/21/2025 - Update
Two safety zones have been established. For all navigable waters of the Chesapeake Bay within a 2000-yard radius of a hatch cover with an estimated position of 39.20692 N 76.51733 W, Figure 01, and all navigable waters of the Chesapeake Bay within a 500-yard radius of the MV W-SAPPHIRE anchored in position 39.02333 N 76.36833 W, Figure 02. The #2 cargo hold hatch cover blew off the 791-foot Liberian-flagged vessel W-SAPPHIRE on August 18, 2025.
The safety zones are intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in these navigable waters. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative. The COTP is currently issuing a Broadcast Notice to Mariners (BNM) via VHF-FM marine channel 16. Mariners are requested to monitor the VHF channel 16 for the latest information.
You may not enter the safety zone described above unless authorized by the COTP or the COTP's designated representative. To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP’s representative by telephone at
(410) 576–2525 or on Marine Band Radio VHF–FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz). Those in the safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or directions given to them by the COTP or the COTP’s designated representative. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol and enforcement of the safety zone by Federal, State, and local agencies.
If you have any questions regarding the contents of this bulletin, please contact the Command Center at (410) 576-2525, or via email at d05-smb-sectormd-ncr-scc@uscg.mil.
SEE ATTACHMENT FOR MORE INFORMATION
 
Tropical Storm Warning
URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
558 AM EDT Thu Aug 21 2025
ANZ454-455-212300-
/O.EXP.KPHI.SC.Y.0080.000000T0000Z-250821T1000Z/
/O.CON.KPHI.TR.W.1005.000000T0000Z-000000T0000Z/
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-
558 AM EDT Thu Aug 21 2025
...TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT...
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT 6 AM EDT EARLY THIS
MORNING...
* WHAT...Northeast winds 25 to 35 kt with gusts up to 45 kt and
  seas 13 to 18 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...Tropical Storm force winds expected through tonight.
* 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
ANZ400-212100-
401 AM EDT Thu Aug 21 2025
.SYNOPSIS FOR THE COASTAL WATERS FROM SANDY HOOK NJ TO FENWICK
ISLAND DE AND FOR DELAWARE BAY...
Hurricane Erin will make its closest pass to the Mid Atlantic
through today, bringing significant coastal and marine hazards
to the region. Erin will push farther out to sea tonight into
Friday as weak high pressure will builds into the area, with
fair weather expected through Saturday. A cold front will
approach the region on Sunday, then move offshore by Monday,
bringing more unsettled conditions. Cooler and drier high
pressure will then build into the region into the middle of next
week.
ANZ454-212100-Coastal waters from Cape May NJ to Cape Henlopen DE out 20 nm-
401 AM EDT Thu Aug 21 2025
 
TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT

 TODAY
NE winds 25 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt, increasing
to 30 to 35 kt with gusts up to 45 kt this afternoon. Seas 9 to
12 ft, building to 11 to 15 ft this afternoon. Wave Detail: SE
12 ft at 16 seconds and E 7 ft at 7 seconds, becoming E 15 ft at
13 seconds and SE 8 ft at 8 seconds. A chance of showers.
TONIGHT
N winds 25 to 35 kt with gusts up to 45 kt. Seas 11 to
15 ft, subsiding to 9 to 13 ft after midnight. Wave Detail: E
15 ft at 13 seconds and SE 7 ft at 8 seconds, becoming E 13 ft at
12 seconds and S 6 ft at 7 seconds.
FRI
N winds 20 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt, becoming NE
15 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Seas 9 to 12 ft, subsiding to 8 to
10 ft in the afternoon. Wave Detail: E 12 ft at 12 seconds,
becoming E 10 ft at 12 seconds.
FRI NIGHT
E winds 5 to 10 kt, becoming S after midnight. Seas
6 to 9 ft. Wave Detail: E 9 ft at 12 seconds.
SAT
S winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: E 6 ft at
12 seconds.
SAT NIGHT
S winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: E
5 ft at 12 seconds and SE 1 foot at 6 seconds.
SUN
S winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 5 ft.
SUN NIGHT
S winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas around 4 ft. A chance of
showers.
MON
SW winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. A chance of showers.
MON NIGHT
W winds 5 to 10 kt, becoming NW after midnight. Seas
3 to 4 ft. A chance of showers in the evening.

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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Disclaimer: For quality assurance purposes please note well that while the information contained in this website is regularly vetted for accuracy it is not intended to replace the local knowledge or expertise pertaining to port conditions of our marine operations personnel.

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