On June 28, Equinor, the developer of the Empire Wind project, officially launched its new Service Operations Vessel — ECO Liberty. The ceremony took place on the Mississippi River at the Port of New Orleans. Sharon Landry, the First Lady of Louisiana, served as the vessel’s godmother.
The event was attended by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, as well as leaders from Equinor and Edison Chouest Offshore. During the ceremony, a proclamation was read from New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, officially declaring June 28 as ECO Liberty Day.
The 262-foot hybrid vessel was built by Edison Chouest Offshore, with the involvement of over 500 workers from Louisiana. It was constructed using American-made steel and features components supplied by companies from across the U.S. Gulf Coast.
ECO Liberty will soon head to New York, where it will be stationed at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal — a major hub of the Empire Wind project. Over 2,000 workers are currently involved in developing this next-generation offshore wind staging facility, which includes an O&M base and a control center. The vessel will support ongoing offshore construction within the lease area and eventually serve as a floating home for skilled Empire Wind technicians working at sea.
With the deployment of ECO Liberty, Equinor continues to expand its fleet of Jones Act-compliant vessels, further supporting the growth of offshore wind energy in the United States.
