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.