Edison Chouest Offshore has entered into a contract to install a battery-on-board system on a US-flagged platform supply vessel.
The Louisiana-based, privately held shipowner announced the move on Monday and said it was the first-ever such contract for a system that will reduce the unnamed vessel's carbon footprint during operations and standby periods.
"In pursuit of our long-term vision for renewable energy development and reduced emissions, Edison Chouest Offshore strives to improve efficiency through technology and innovation," executive vice president Dino Chouest said.
"Through these efforts, we can reduce our carbon footprint and protect the environment for future generations, while our technological innovations make our customers' offshore operations more efficient and cost effective."
The customer is said to be a "major oil and gas company" operating in the US Gulf of Mexico.
The contract comes with an option for additional systems.
The battery-on-board contract comes after October's announcement that Edison Chouest Offshore had cut a deal with global offshore wind giant Orsted and utility partner Eversource to construct a US-flagged service operations vessel.
The ship will be built at Edison Chouest's yards in Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida, and work on wind-farm projects in the north-east.
By virtue of being built at a US shipyard, the service operations vessel will meet the requirements of the Jones Act, which stipulates all ships flying the US flag be primarily owned, crewed and built domestically.
The month prior, the company announced it was renovating its shipyard in Gulfport, Mississippi, to build tugs for offshore oil operations. The facility is run by subsidiary Gulf Ship.
That expansion, with help from the Mississippi Development Authority, will reportedly create 200 jobs.
Edison Chouest's move into battery power comes after rival Harvey Gulf International completed a three-month trial of battery power on the 5,400-dwt PSV Harvey Energy (built 2015).
The New Orleans company said the trial was successful.
Chief executive Shane Guidry said the vessel saw 20% fuel savings and major reductions in carbon emissions.
"For 10 years, all my US competitors have been chasing their tail trying to catch up with me and all of my accomplishments in the decarbonisation space," he said.
"But I’m glad to see a [Edison Chouest] stepping up and being third. I look forward to other companies following suit in the quest for decarbonisation for all of our futures."
Eric Martin contributed to this story.
