The fire broke out just before 10 a.m. near the 100 block of Essex Street.
The fire appears to have started on a crane working on the cargo ship, Pacific Harmony.
As fire crews battled to get the fire under control, smoke was present and visible in the South Philadelphia area, according to Philadelphia emergency management officials.
Smoke could be seen for miles around and speeds on the Walt Whitman Bridge were temporarily reduced. Normal traffic patterns have since resumed, according to the Delaware River Port Authority.
Residents across the river in Philadelphia were also advised to take precautions because of the possibility of poor air quality. The smoke has since cleared out.
No injuries were reported.
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