The American Chemistry Council (ACC) and American Waterways Operators (AWO) have renewed a memorandum of agreement aimed at further aligning safety, environmental and security standards across the marine transportation supply chain.
Announced Feb. 17, the agreement reinforces coordination between ACC’s Responsible Care program and AWO’s Responsible Carrier program (RCP), two longstanding performance frameworks that govern safety and operational practices in the chemical and tugboat, towboat and barge sectors.
Under the renewed agreement, companies in the marine sector that are Responsible Care partners will be able to use AWO’s Responsible Carrier program audit framework to meet their Responsible Care certification requirements. The alignment is intended to reduce duplicative audits while maintaining oversight and accountability.
The organizations said the agreement builds on nearly two decades of cooperation and updates the partnership to reflect current regulatory requirements and industry expectations, as well as the expanding role of marine transportation in the chemical supply chain.
“Our members rely on a safe, reliable, and resilient marine transportation system every day,” Chris Jahn, president and CEO of the American Chemistry Council, said in a statement. “By strengthening alignment between Responsible Care and the Responsible Carrier program, ACC and AWO are demonstrating unified leadership in safety and environmental stewardship and creating real efficiencies that benefit companies, employees, communities, and the broader supply chain.”
Jennifer Carpenter, president and CEO of the American Waterways Operators, said the agreement reinforces safety as a foundational principle for towing operators.
“Safety is the bedrock of our industry, and this agreement reinforces that commitment,” Carpenter said. “The Responsible Carrier program has been the standard-bearer for towing vessel safety for more than three decades. Partnering with ACC to create a streamlined, jointly recognized audit framework underscores the trust and collaboration between our industries and will help advance safety and security performance on our waterways.”
As part of the updated MOA, ACC and AWO will jointly develop a single audit instrument designed to satisfy the requirements of both programs. The groups will also coordinate auditor training, align documentation standards and maintain regular communication when either organization updates its performance frameworks.
According to the organizations, the agreement is structured to reduce administrative burdens for companies participating in both programs while preserving the rigor associated with Responsible Care and the Responsible Carrier program.
ACC and AWO said they will continue to explore additional opportunities to strengthen health, safety, environmental and security performance across the chemical and marine transportation sectors and to support ongoing engagement with regulators and waterfront communities.
