Equinor, the developer of Empire Wind, has officially launched the Service Operations Vessel ECO Liberty on June 28 for deployment in its New York offshore wind project. The christening ceremony took place on the Mississippi River at the Port of New Orleans, with Louisiana First Lady Sharon Landry serving as the vessel’s “Godmother.”

Among the notable speakers at the event were Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, along with leaders from Equinor and Edison Chouest Offshore. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell also presented a proclamation declaring June 28 as ECO Liberty Day.

The American-made ECO Liberty was constructed by Edison Chouest Offshore with the help of over 500 Louisianans. The vessel, built with American steel and components sourced from Gulf Coast states, stands at 262 feet and is hybrid-powered.

Following the launch, ECO Liberty will set sail for New York, where it will be stationed at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal. This terminal, currently under construction, will serve as a staging facility, O&M base, and control center for the Empire Wind project. The vessel will be tasked with supporting marine construction in the lease area and will also provide accommodation for Empire Wind’s offshore workers. The addition of ECO Liberty marks the introduction of seven new US-flagged vessels to the U.S. Jones Act compliant fleet.