Late in 2008 Higman Barge Lines Inc. took delivery of another in their series of 72 by 30 ft 2000 hp push boats. Along with a number of other vessels, the M/V Alliance was built at Hope Services Inc. in Dulac, Louisiana as their Hull Number 165. This was followed by the Erik Salen, a sister vessel, in January 2009. A third towboat, the Kal A. Shaw, being built to the same design, will be delivered to Higman Barge Lines in mid-April. With a hull depth of 10 ft and a somewhat smaller draft, the 144 gross ton vessels are well suited to working Americas Inland Waterways.
The Alliance, the Erik Salen and the Kal A. Shaw are powered by Cummins KTA38 M0 main engines each delivering 1000 hp at 1800 RPM.