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Harvey Gulf International Marine, LLC, reported Friday that it had made history by becoming the first North American dual-fuel offshore support vessel (OSV) operator to bunker liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel. The dual-fuel offshore support vessel (OSV) M/V Harvey Energy was bunkered in Pascagoula, Mississippi at a shore-based terminal.

Harvey Energy crew were accompanied by members of the U.S. Coast Guard as well as staff from Wärtsilä, ABS, Gulf Coast Shipbuilding Group, and Martin Energy Services LLC. The cool-down process took roughly 12 hours before the required pressure and tank temperature was achieved, requiring 3,800 gallons of nitrogen.

Harvey Gulf's Chairman and CEO, Shane Guidry, called the bunkering a "historic event" and "an example of Harvey Gulf's commitment to their customers and the environment to provide the most affordable, innovative, environmentally friendly technology solutions to meet their business demands".

The Harvey Energy was built by Gulf Coast Shipyard Group (GCSG) in Gulfport, Mississippi, and is a Vard 1 311 LNG vessel. The vessel is American Ship Review's 'Ship of the Year' for 2015. The Harvey Energy is a 5,150-deadweight-tonne (dwt) vessel, and is U.S.-flagged Subchapter I and L.

Harvey Gulf International Marine LLC is a New Orleans-headquartered firm which offers marine transportation and towing services. The company owns and operates offshore supply vessels, utility and fast supply vessels, and multi-purpose vessels specialising in deepwater operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

Image: Harvey Energy