Baker Lyman, GL announce strategic alliance

August 10, 2012—Responding to industry concerns over sufficient Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) service capacities for the impending Subchapter M implementation, Germanischer Lloyd (USA), Houston, TX, and Baker, Lyman & Co, Inc., New Orleans, LA, recently announced a strategic alliance aimed at creating a “one-stop” shop for towing vessel operators impacted by the regulations.

The aim of the strategic alliance is to address what the Towing Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) and American Waterways Operators (AWO) have characterized as a serious market shortage of TSMS delivery service capabilities.  

These service capabilities include TSMS Assessments/Plan Writing, TSMS Plan Certification, and TSMS Audits/Surveys.

Subchapter M establishes safety regulations governing the inspection, standards, and safety management systems of towing vessels.


Germanischer Lloyd (USA) and its sister company, Noble Denton, are global leaders in the certification/inspection processes within the tug and barge, workboat, and offshore energy markets.

The oldest NOAA and Admiralty Chart agent in the U.S., Baker Lyman is well known in the U.S. inland and offshore market.

According to Baker Lyman, the strategic alliance creates a TSMS “one-stop shop” for Sub-M impacted operators.  Germanischer Lloyd and Baker Lyman will cross-market each others’ product and service lines creating affordable, scalable, and flexible TSMS solutions for any sized fleet.

Baker Lyman provides TSMS Company/Vessel Assessment, TSMS Plan Creation, CORSAIR Towing Vessel Record, and annual TSMS Internal Audits.
Germanischer Lloyd (USA)/Noble Denton provides TSMS Plan Certification, TSMS Audit & Survey Services, TSMS Vessel Reclassification, and TSMS Training through GL Academy.