Engineering Services Division News

Crowley Maritime Corporation has owned and operated a lot of vessels since its founding in 1892. But the latest vessel to join its fleet is unlike any other that has come before it.Crowley’s new harbor tug, eWolf, is unique in that it runs 100% powered by batteries, not diesel engines, meaning it produces zero emissions and nearly no noise. Not only is the vessel the first fully electric tug in the Crowley fleet, but it is also the first of its kind in the United States.Faced with stricter regulations and commercial pressure to prioritize environmental…

For the average person, tracking down a spare part is often merely an annoyance. But for the crew of a Coast Guard cutter, the availability of spare parts can be important to mission completion or greatly affect their work environment. The Coast Guard Research and Development Center in New London, Conn., is currently studying how the use of 3-D printing technology might improve mission readiness through logistical support. Now in the evaluation phase, 3-D printers are available…

John Pyron, Vice President of W R Systems Ltd. and Director of Federal Business for the Engineering Services Division located in Norfolk, VA, has been elected Vice President of the Tidewater Association of Service Contractors (TASC).  TASC is an organization dedicated to excellence in contracting in the public and private sectors. Pyron is a retired Navy officer who has over 25 years experience in program management and marketing.

W R Systems, Ltd. (WRSystems) has announced the appointment of Dave Edwards as President and Chief Operating Officer (COO). Edwards joined the Virginia-based company in 1996; he replaces Founder Raymond Yu, who retired in November 2011. Edwards was the chief architect of the company’s Engineering Services Division (ESD), which now employs more than 200 employees in the Norfolk location. Collectively, WRSystems has become a major supplier to the US Federal Government, and supports the US Navy and other departments with high-tech marine electronics…

W R Systems, Ltd (WRSystems) has been asked to supply its EmsysTM laser‐based Emissions Monitoring System (EMS) for the purpose of emission verification for an ongoing fuel trials on‐board the AP Moller‐Maersk vessel Maersk Kalmar. WRSystems was asked to provide the EmsysTM system installation as part of a wider project between Maersk Line Limited (Maersk) and the US Navy to test biofuels for their long‐term suitability for maritime applications. EmsysTM was requested by Maersk following successful trial installations on two US‐based Maersk container vessels.

W R Systems, Ltd (WRSystems) was asked to supply its Emsys laser-based Emissions Monitoring System (EMS) for the purpose of emission verification for an ongoing fuel trials on-board the AP Moller-Maersk vessel Maersk Kalmar. WRSystems was asked to provide the Emsys system installation as part of a wider project between Maersk Line Limited (Maersk) and the US Navy to test biofuels for their long-term suitability for maritime applications. EmsysTM was requested by Maersk following successful trial installations on two US-based Maersk container vessels. Previous trials were used to prove system efficacy and aid the comprehensive marine Type Approval process under the supervision of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).

Wild Well Control, a Superior Energy Services company, has named Kerry Girlinghouse Vice President of Well Control Engineering. Girlinghouse has been with Wild Well Control since 2004. In his most recent position he served as a Senior Technical Advisor within the engineering division. Based in Houston, Girlinghouse will lead the engineering division, increasing his role in global well control and prevention and response services. “Kerry has been an integral part of the success of Wild Well Control and the engineering services division.

Hefty fines, detention and possible arrest are looming for ship owners/operators who fail to meet new ship emissions requirements. In accordance with MARPOL (Marine Pollution) Annex VI regulations, new Emissions Control Area (ECA) regulations for sea areas within 200 nautical miles from the coasts and ports of the U.S. and Canada go into effect on August 1, 2011. Even with an exemption clause that extends the regulations enforcement date to Aug. 1, 2012, the time window is short for outfitting thousands of vessels.

Norfolk, VA: W R Systems, Ltd. (WRSystems), a systems engineering firm in Norfolk, Virginia, has won a nearly $2 million contract from Bath Iron Works to provide speed log systems and services for U.S. Navy ships. Based in Bath, Maine and a General Dynamics subsidiary, Bath Iron Works is a major American shipyard that manufactures vessels for the military, commercial and private sectors. The company has ordered the speed log systems for the restart of the Arleigh Burke destroyer class, which features new construction hulls.

W R Systems, Ltd. (WRSystems) has been awarded a $26,946,956 contract from the U.S. Navy to provide engineering technical support services for navigation systems in the U.S. and abroad. Seventy-five percent of the contract work will be performed in Hampton Roads, Va. through WRSystems’ Engineering Services Division in Norfolk, Va. The value of the contract could reach an estimated $140,601,392 if all options are exercised. The company is based in Fairfax, Va. WRSystems expects to hire additional staff to help service the new contract. The contract combines purchases for the Navy (97%), and the governments of Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Australia, Saudi Arabia and Egypt under the Foreign Military Sales Program.

Operating profit for the CMA CGM Group is expected to return to the breakeven point in December 2009, ahead of the company’s cautious forecasts in September 2009. The savings plan applied throughout all segments of the group, combined with increasingly firm volumes and rates, is already producing its initial effects. The recovery of operating profit illustrates the shipping expertise of the CMA CGM teams, which have been entirely focused on achieving this objective. -     Optimized capacity in line with transport demand on all the Group’s lines. Furthermore, by soon extending “super eco speed” to all ships on ocean-going lines, the group will further reduce fuel consumption by the end of the year, thus saving tens of millions of dollars.

Norfolk Mayor Paul D. Fraim will recognize WR Systems, Ltd. for Outstanding Achievement on Wednesday, March 4, following the company’s certification from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). WRSystems has received ISO 9001:2000 certification, a process standard for a quality management system. The ISO is based in Geneva, Switzerland and establishes and approves worldwide proprietary industrial and commercial standards for technical and engineering criteria, methods and practices. To achieve ISO certification a company must go through a rigorous and lengthy process. The certification of WRSystems lasts for three years and will help open doors to both government contracts and the private sector.