(HOUSTON) — Higman Barge Lines Inc., headquartered in Houston, has become the first U.S. inland marine transportation company to have its towing safety management system (TSMS) approved and certified by Wavecrest Inc., a third-party organization (TPO) as prescribed under Subchapter M.
On Monday, Wavecrest, with the U.S. Coast Guard in attendance, completed the audit process of Higman’s TSMS. Subchapter M (Sub M) is a towing vessel inspection ruling that came in effect in June 2016. It mandates compliance with a federal set of rules for the organization and implementation of a towing company's safety management system, and includes periodic inspection of their operated towing vessels.
Higman Marine, by and through its principal subsidiaries Higman Barge Lines, Higman Marine Services and Higman Service Corp., is a leading provider of inland marine transportation services for bulk liquid petroleum and chemical cargoes. Founded in 1917, today Higman has significantly increased the size of its fleet from 32 vessels to over 80 owned and operated vessels. The Higman barge fleet today numbers close to 180.
