The Keystone team represents the full array of maritime disciplines, which include:
While Keystone’s vessels are engaged in many different trades, they all operate to one exceptional standard. Keystone’s highly trained and experienced workforce, both onshore and at sea, underpins the steadfast commitment to excellence that has been a Keystone Shipping hallmark since the Company was founded.
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Keystone Shipping’s onboard crews are supported by an onshore management team with thousands of years of cumulative maritime knowledge.
Keystone Shipping’s management and work culture is the embodiment of the values and entrepreneurial spirit of the Company’s founder, Charles Kurz. From humble beginnings, Charles Kurz began his career in 1909 as an errand boy for a Philadelphia custom house broker. In the ensuing years, he became a highly respected shipping agent, commodities trader, and ship owner. By World War II, Charles Kurz was managing a fleet of 75 merchant ships as head of the United States War Shipping Administration.
What distinguished Charles Kurz throughout his remarkable career was his passion for innovation, his dedication to his customers, his undisputed integrity, and his willingness to take on seemingly impossible challenges and bring them to fruition.
The tradition of excellence which Charles Kurz established more than a century ago continues today under the leadership of Donald Kurz and his son, Donald Kurz Jr. – representing the third and fourth generations of Kurz family leadership.
Keystone Shipping is known for its close-knit, participative management culture and its commitment to superior performance, customer service, and industry leadership.
We are recognized as a force for innovation in the maritime industry – pioneering the significant upsizing of tankers, the development of double-hulled tankers and parcel tankers, the use of specialized tank cleaning operations, and the development of dual-fired propulsion systems. These innovations, initially pioneered by Keystone, have ultimately become industry standards.
At Keystone Shipping we are proud of our accomplishments. Our unwavering dedication to excellence has allowed us to thrive and excel in the maritime community.
The spring issue of the Safety Line from Keystone Shipping is here! We welcome new Jones-Act vessels to the fleet, host a USCG Memorial Service, celebrate being the Great Lakes “First Ship of the 2023 Sailing Season” and more. Read the full 2023 Spring Safety [Read More]
The fall issue of Keystone Shipping’s Safety Line Newsletter is here with a look at Exercise Cold Response 2022, fire department vessel walk throughs and more. Read the full 2022 Fall Safety Line.
The winter issue of the Safety Line is here with a look at the recent Maritime Administration Turbo Activation, a police training exercise and more. Read the full 2021 Winter Safety Line.
