Successfully operating for over 68 years, McKeil Marine Limited is considered by industry analysts as an exemplary Canadian success story. The family-focussed business, which operates throughout the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Arctic, has the ability to adapt quickly and adroitly to the changing times in both global and regional trends in trade and transportation.
Blair McKeil’s roots of entrepreneurship and philanthropy are traced back to his father Evans McKeil, who founded the business in 1956 and set in place a culture of caring and sharing. Since then, McKeil Marine has grown its fleet and customer base to become one of the nation’s leaders in marine transportation and logistics. Honoring his father’s vision of a company that demonstrates a commitment to people, community, and excellent customer service continues to be a priority.
Blair has been an active contributor to a variety of industry organizations including past President of The Marine Club and the Eastern Canada Tug Owners Association. Through these organizations, Blair developed strong relationships, both within North America and abroad.
Blair is a past recipient of the 2002 Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal for his community service. In 2021, Blair was presented the John Bitove Sr. Award in recognition of his generous support and dedication to ProAction Cops & Kids. In 2022, he was honored with the Queens Platinum Jubilee Medal for outstanding public service. The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce honored Blair with an Outstanding Business Achievement Award and announced Blair as the recipient of the 2022 Royal Bank Hamilton Citizen of the Year.
In 2011, Hamilton-based Mohawk College honoured the McKeil Family with the naming of its business school – McKeil School of Business. In June 2012, Blair was presented with an inaugural Mohawk College Fellowship and was awarded an Honorary Ontario College Advanced Diploma in Business Administration. In August 2012 the Association of Canadian Port Authorities presented Blair with the prestigious Medal of Merit award, which recognizes outstanding works or service, preferably of national impact, by an individual, institution or organization in the port, shipping and maritime transportation sector.
In 2016, Blair sold a majority interest of McKeil Marine to TorQuest Partners, joined the board of directors and assumed the role of Vice Chairman. Under Blair’s leadership, McKeil Marine evolved from an owner-operated tug and barge company into one of Canada’s leading marine service providers, specializing in marine transportation services and delivering complex marine project solutions.