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Shell Offshore Inc. (Shell) has taken delivery of its third liquefied natural gas(LNG)-powered offshore supply vessel (OSV) in Port Fourchon, Louisiana.

The Harvey Liberty, chartered from Harvey Gulf International Marine, will join its sister ships the Harvey Energy and Harvey Power, and support Shell's deep-water operations in the Gulf of Mexico.

"This is an important milestone for Shell and Harvey Gulf," said Tahir Faruqui, Shell's General Manager LNG North America. "The Harvey Liberty highlights our efforts to grow LNG as a fuel in the transport sector, and is a welcome addition to our portfolio."

Harvey Gulf International Marine's CEO and Chairman, Shane Guidry, remarked: "Harvey Gulf is excited to share these historical maritime events with Shell. This represents another significant step in the path for Harvey Gulf to establish itself as a leader in utilizing LNG as a marine fuel."

The Harvey Liberty runs on 99 percent LNG fuel and can operate for up to 15 days before needing to refuel. The 302-foot-long vessel uses three dual-fuel Wärtsilä engines.

LNG as a fuel provides vessel owners with an alternative solution to meet sulphur and nitrogen oxide emissions regulations in the North American Emission Control Area (ECA).

In January 2016, Harvey Gulf opened the first marine LNG fuelling terminal in North America, and completed a transfer of approximately 43,000 gallons of LNG to the Harvey Energy, the first Harvey Gulf vessel powered by LNG to support Shell's Gulf of Mexico operations.

The Harvey Liberty is to refuel with LNG from Harvey Gulf's new LNG bunkering facility in Port Fourchon in southern Louisiana, where it will support Shell's platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, transporting supplies, equipment, and drilling fluids.