ADCP in Bakauheni Port: Ocean Current Measurement

1. Where is Bakauheni port?

Bakauheni port is located in Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia. It is a vital port that connects Sumatra and other islands, particularly Java.

Port Scale and Throughput

The scale of the port is great as well as its throughput. It handles a wide range of cargo, including agricultural products from Sumatra's fertile lands, such as palm oil, rubber, and coffee. Besides, it deals with general cargo, construction materials, and passenger transportation, since it is an important ferry terminal. The throughput is influenced by both the economic activities in Sumatra and the demand for transportation across the strait. It can handle different vessels, from large ferries to medium-sized cargo ships.

Routes and Business

Bakauheni port is well-connected with other ports, especially those in Java. The ferry routes are the major part of its operations, facilitating the movement of people and vehicles. From a cargo perspective, it undertakes exports from Sumatra agricultural and natural resources and imports that are urgently needed in this region. Shipping routes across the seaway support the economy by permitting the movement of goods within the country between various different parts.

Port Management and Operation

Management at the port is concerned with smooth and safe operations. The port authority, under vessel traffic control, regulates cargo handling and passenger services. They implement mechanisms to enhance the flow of vessels and goods efficiently. Safety and security are of paramount importance, with measures put in place to handle emergencies and protect the port infrastructures and users.

Port Facilities

Facilities that support its functions are provided to the port. It has various berths for vessels of different types. In addition, it contains facilities like cranes and conveyor belts that are necessary for the handling of cargo. Similarly, adequate storage areas for various kinds of goods, like warehouses for dry goods and a few cold - storage facilities for perishables, are available. There are also facilities for the maintenance and repair of ships and ferries.

Channels and Direct Routes

The Bakauheni port channels are in good condition to ensure safe sailing by ships and ferries through the port. They get dredged regularly to maintain this depth. The direct routes taken by ferries to travel to and from Java mean everything to the passenger transportation and vehicle transportation services of this port. These channels remain a vital part of the different trade and transportation activities that were known to be associated with this place.

2. Why should we measure ocean currents in the Bakauheni port?

It is very important to measure ocean currents in Bakauheni port. To begin with, this action is taken for the vessels' safety. Because the flow of ferry and cargo ships is fairly high, knowledge of the pattern is needed for safe navigation. Currents can affect the stability and maneuverability of vessels during docking and undocking, as well as during their journey across the strait. With correct current measurements, the port is able to provide real - time information to captains and reduce the risk of accidents such as collisions and groundings.

This is also important for the port to function properly. Understanding the existing pattern will help in efficiently managing the use of port facilities. For instance, it could provide an idea of how to use the cargo handling and storage facilities at different places by the direction and strength of the currents. This could make the process of loading and unloading of goods smoother and make the ferry operations run smoothly without making vessels wait, which also reduces overall operational costs.

Furthermore, from an environmental point of view, the measurements made today are useful. They can give insight into the dispersion of pollutants and sediments in the port area. This information is important for a healthy marine environment and for dredging and other coastal engineering projects. Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) provides a more advanced and convenient way to measure these currents compared to traditional methods.

3. How do ADCPs using the Doppler principle work?

The ADCPs work according to the so-called Doppler effect. ADCPs emit acoustic signal into the water. The so-called Doppler effect comes into effect: The emitted acoustic signals reflected from particles within the flow have a frequency dependent on their speed relative to the transmitting unit.

Ship-borne ADCP

At Bakauheni, for example, there is only the installation of ADCP current meter devices attached on a vessel as shipborne. The ADCP sends out acoustic pulses either in a downward-looking or side-looking direction as the ship moves through the water. The reflected signals from the water column are received and analyzed. The Doppler shift in these signals is used to calculate the velocity of the water current at different depths. This allows for the profiling of the current structure as the ship travels through the area.

Fixed ADCP

Fixed ADCPs can be installed on structures like piers or buoys. They radiate acoustic signals continuously, with a downward-looking direction, and then analyze the return signals for Doppler shift. By continuously monitoring current at a given location, fixed ADCPs can determine a long-term record of current velocity and direction in a location, which becomes helpful in understanding the currents near the port entrance or at other critical areas.

4. What is required for high-quality measurement of Bakauheni port currents?

For high-quality current measurements in Bakauheni port, the equipment to be used should be fabricated with reliable materials. The instrument design should be small - sized and lightweight, mainly for ship-borne ADCPs, to enable efficient installation and transportation.

Low power consumption is essential, particularly for fixed ADCPs that must operate continuously. Cost-effectiveness is also significant to allow the deployment of multiple devices for comprehensive current measurement.

The casing of ADCP profiler is preferably made of titanium alloy. Titanium alloy has excellent corrosion resistance, which is vital in the marine environment. The saltwater in the Bakauheni port can cause corrosion to ordinary metals. Titanium alloy can withstand the corrosive effects of seawater, ensuring the long - term durability of the equipment. It also has a high strength - to - weight ratio, which helps in reducing the overall weight of the device while maintaining its structural integrity.

5. How to Choose the right equipment for current measurement?

Based on Usage

Ship-borne ADCP: It is suitable for the measurement of currents when the vessel is in motion. In Bakauheni, this would be used by ferries and cargo ships to measure current along their route for the purpose of navigation and operation.

Sit-on-bottom ADCP: Ideal for long - term and fixed - point monitoring of currents near the seabed. In the port, it can be used to monitor the current behavior at specific locations such as near the berths or around underwater structures.

Buoy-based ADCP: When the objective is to monitor currents in a particular area for quite a long period, and there is some flexibility in location, a buoy-based ADCP may be applied. In the Bakauheni port, this could be deployed in places where ships do not frequently pass but are important from the point of view of overall current patterns.

Based on Frequency

For waters up to 70m deep, an ADCP flow meter of frequency 600kHz usually works. For depths about 110m, a frequency of 300kHz will be more appropriate. For very deep waters up to 1000m, a 75kHz ADCP is the better choice.

There are well-known ADCP brands such as Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. However, a recommended Chinese brand is China Sonar PandaADCP. It is made of all-titanium alloy material, providing excellent durability. It also offers an incredible cost-performance ratio. You can find more information about this brand on its website: (https://china-sonar.com/).

Here is a table with some well known ADCP instrument brands and models.