The ownership and operation of Golding Barge Line traces its heritage in the barge business to 1965 when Thomas Golding started a shipyard and drydock service in Vicksburg known as Big River Shipbuilding, Inc. The owners of Big River Shipbuilding diversified into the operation of boats and tank barges in 1969 by forming Ole Man River Towing, Inc.

Steve Golding, president of GBL, began his river career at the age of 15 by working part time at Big River Shipbuilding. When Ole Man River was formed, Steve began working during the summers onboard the company's vessels. Upon graduation from Mississippi State University in 1972, Steve began his full time career in the tank barge industry by working as a tankerman and licensed steersman onboard the company's towboats. Steve came ashore mid-1973, and began the steady expansion of Ole Man River Towing. He led the company from a small operation to becoming a well respected barge line with over (40) tank barges. Along the way, he assembled an extremely dedicated and loyal team of employees. Ole Man River was sold to Kirby Corporation in 1992.

Steve re-entered the tank barge industry by forming Golding Barge Company, Inc. in 1995, and Golding Barge Line in 2001. He is quick to point out that the nucleus of his key employees, both onboard and shoreside are former Ole Man River employees. Most of these team members grew up in the industry with Steve and eagerly came back to the newly formed tank barge operation known as Golding Barge Line Inc. GBL has the distinct advantage of being a company with all new equipment that is matched with a team of employees having many years of experience in the tank barge industry. We are the only tank barge operator on the inland waterway system with all new equipment. Every one of our boats has been built since 2005, and all of the barges that we operate have been built after the year 2001. There truly is no other barge company on the river quite like this very unique and dedicated operation.

GBL specializes in the movement of refined petroleum products, petro-chemicals, chemical products, and crude oil throughout the entire US inland waterway system. It has been developed into a well-established barge line, with a long heritage in the barge industry. All of GBL's boats have been custom built and are powered by CAT 3500 series engines, which are proven to be the most energy efficient source of power available on the inland waterways. Its barges have been designed and built to the company's unique set of specifications. The discharge rates on these barges continue to 'break records' for the fastest discharge times at every terminal they call on. If you are a shipper looking for the safest and most energy efficient carrier to move your liquid products, you have come to the right place. We sincerely hope you will give us the opportunity to add your company to our growing list of very satisfied and loyal customers.

The next generation of Goldings have entered into the inland barge business with the addition of Austin Golding. Immediately after graduation from Mississippi State in 2009, Austin began working onboard all GBL's boats. He has been around the barge industry and its people his entire life, so his learning curve has not been a very steep one. He will be joined by his brother John Reid Golding upon his graduation from Mississippi State in May of 2013. The GBL organization operates very much like a family of dedicated people, so it is no surprise that Austin and John Reid are natural fits into their family’s business.