Moran Shipping Agencies
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Shipping agency, Maritime services |
| Founded | 1937 |
| Founder | James F. Moran |
| Headquarters | Providence, Rhode Island , United States |
Area served | North America, Europe |
Key people | James A. Black (President and CEO), Jason E. Kelly (Executive Vice President), Gavin R. Black (Legal Counsel) |
| Products | Agency services, ship husbandry, maritime security support |
Number of employees | 150+ |
Moran Shipping Agencies, Inc. operates as a steamship agency based in the United States, with its main office located in Providence, Rhode Island. It holds the distinction of being the largest independently operated shipping agency within the U.S., delivering comprehensive agency services, ship husbandry, and maritime security support for upwards of 5,000 port visits annually at over 100 ports throughout North America.
History of Moran Shipping Agencies Inc.
Established in 1937 by James F. Moran, the company commenced its activities in Providence and Fall River, Massachusetts. By 1959, Moran had broadened its reach to include Boston and Portland, Maine, while maintaining strong ties to Rhode Island. Leadership transitioned to Edward Moran following James’s tenure, and in 1974 F. Robert Black joined the firm and took ownership. Together with his brother James A. Black, they expanded operations by opening new branches in Houston, Port Arthur, Corpus Christi, and subsequently in New Orleans and Tampa during the 1970s and 1980s.
Michael T. Black became part of the team in 1982; after F. Robert retired in 1985, ownership was shared between James and Michael who propelled further growth across North America. The 1990s saw notable expansion through acquisitions such as Boston’s Patterson & Wilde Steamship Agency and full control of Kurz-Moran Agencies located in New Jersey and Philadelphia. The company also increased its footprint in Gulf ports including Lake Charles, Galveston, Freeport, as well as locations in South Carolina, Florida, and along the West Coast.
Today, Moran Shipping operates from 20 full-service offices supporting nearly 100 ports throughout North America and employs more than 150 staff members. The organization also maintains offices in Europe. Remaining family-owned, second-generation leadership includes Executive Vice President Jason E. Kelly and Legal Counsel Gavin R. Black. James A. Black serves as President and CEO, focusing on expanding geographical reach and diversifying maritime-related service offerings.
Moran Shipping Agencies is ISO 9001:2000 certified and continues to capitalize on its expertise-driven approach to maintain a competitive edge within the global shipping agency sector.
Agency services offered by Moran
- Compliance with U.S. Government regulations: Assistance ensuring vessels, crews, and cargo adhere to requirements set by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Coast Guard, and other authorities.
- Hub Agency Solutions: Tailored support for various vessel types including crude and clean product tankers, LNG, LPG carriers, chemical ships, dry-bulk vessels, cruise liners, and container ships.
- Submission services for AMS and ENOA/D.
- Online voyage accounting alongside financial management tools.
- ISO-certified Port Vendor Management services.
- Maritime Information Systems Management providing comprehensive local marine data, port facility updates daily, plus real-time alerts.
- Security services for maritime operations and port facilities.
Moran's corporate headquarters building
The corporate headquarters of Moran Shipping is situated within the historic former Rhode Island Medical Society Building at 106 Francis Street in Providence, Rhode Island. This landmark structure encompasses approximately 13,000 square feet and was originally built in 1911 featuring colonial revival architecture. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1984. Under Rhode Island’s Historic Tax Credit program, the building underwent renovation to transform it into a contemporary office space.
The renovation project was completed in 2010 with an objective to achieve Gold LEED certification—the first instance for a building individually recognized on the National Register—earning Moran accolades for environmentally responsible preservation and adaptive reuse. The facility comprises private offices; a conference room enclosed by glass suspended within former library stacks; an operations center; administrative areas housed inside what was once an auditorium with vaulted ceilings; plus a newly added glass-and-brick stairwell.
A standout feature is Downtown Providence’s inaugural geothermal system utilizing two wells each extending 1,500 feet underground to supply all heating and cooling requirements. This sustainable energy solution considerably lowers utility expenditures; during the coldest month on record heating costs were limited to $31 solely for hot water usage. The system operates by circulating water at temperatures between 46–50 degrees Fahrenheit at a flow rate of 78 gallons per minute through a heat exchanger for efficient temperature control.