- The ECO Liberty, the first Jones Act–compliant plug-in hybrid offshore wind service operation vessel (SOV) in the U.S., has been launched at the Port of New Orleans.
- Built by Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) in Houma, Louisiana, the vessel will be operated for Equinor and classed by ABS.
- The 262-foot vessel marks a milestone for U.S. shipbuilding and the integration of hybrid systems in offshore wind operations.
The first Jones Act–compliant plug-in hybrid offshore wind service operation vessel (SOV) in the United States has been officially christened and launched at the Port of New Orleans. The vessel, named ECO Liberty, represents a significant step for American shipbuilding and offshore wind development.
Constructed by Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) at its LaShip shipyard in Houma, Louisiana, the 262-foot vessel was built using American steel and components, with more than 500 local workers contributing to the project. The ECO Liberty will be owned and operated by ECO for international energy company Equinor, according to ABS.
ABS Classification and Industry Role
The vessel has been classed by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), underscoring its compliance with the latest safety and operational standards. Miguel Hernandez, ABS Senior Vice President for Global Offshore, emphasized the vessel’s importance:
“The ECO Liberty is a milestone for both U.S. shipbuilding and the use of hybrid systems in offshore wind vessels. ABS is proud to support these growing sectors, helping clients navigate emerging technologies and evolving shipbuilding needs.”
Supporting Offshore Wind Expansion
As the primary classification society for the global offshore industry, ABS is positioned to support the expanding U.S. offshore wind sector. Its expertise spans a broad range of vessel types, from wind turbine and rock installation ships to service operation vessels, cable layers, crew transfer vessels, and floating heavy-lift construction units.
With the launch of the ECO Liberty, the U.S. offshore wind fleet takes a critical step forward in combining advanced hybrid propulsion technologies with Jones Act compliance, strengthening domestic capacity to support both fixed and floating offshore wind projects.
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Source: ABS
