ADCP in Batu Ampar Port: Ocean Current Measurement

1. Where is Batu Ampar port?

Batu Ampar port is in Indonesia; it is a major port and an important link in marine trade and transportation in the region.

Port Scale and Throughput

The scale of the port is big, with quite decent throughput. The cargo range involved includes containers, bulk cargo-which includes coal, minerals, and agricultural products, added to general cargo. Its cargo volume is considerable on an annual basis, where volumes are influenced by domestic and international demands. It can berth all manners of vessels, from medium-sized cargo ships right through to large-scale container vessels and bulk carriers.

Routes and Business

Batu Ampar is well-connected with domestic and international shipping routes. Domestically, it is very important in the carriage of goods to and from other Indonesian ports. Internationally, it has links with Asia-Pacific and other regions. The main business activities involve the export of local resources and products, such as agricultural produce, minerals, and manufactured goods, and the importation of machinery, equipment, and consumer goods.

Port Management and Operation

The management of the port is oriented towards efficient and safe operations. The port authority is responsible for vessel traffic control, cargo handling, and storage, among other functions. Advanced management systems are implemented to enhance the flow of goods and ships optimally. Safety and security are emphasized, with strict measures against threats such as piracy and illegal smuggling.

Port Facilities

The port has many modern facilities. It comprises of several berths of different lengths and drafts to accommodate various vessels. Advanced cranes and other cargo-handling equipment are available for speedy and efficient loading and unloading of goods. The storage facilities include container yards, warehouses for different types of cargo, cold-storage for perishable items, etc. In addition to it, ship repair and maintenance facilities are also available.

Channels and Direct Routes

The channels in Batu Ampar port are maintained to ensure the safe navigation of ships. They are regularly dredged to maintain the required depth. The port has direct shipping routes to other major ports in Indonesia and international destinations. These channels are very important for the high - volume trade activities and the smooth movement of ships.

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

Measuring ocean currents in the Batu Ampar port is of great importance. Firstly, for the safety of vessels. With a great amount of shipping traffic, knowledge about the pattern of currents is indispensable for safe navigation. Uncertain currents may cause inconvenience in the process of docking and undocking and can lead to possible collisions or vessel damage. By having accurate current measurements, port authorities can give real-time information to ship captains to help them make more accurate maneuvers.

Secondly, for the efficient operation of the port. Understanding the current patterns can assist in optimizing the use of port facilities. For example, it can help in determining the best locations for cargo handling and storage, based on the direction and strength of the currents. This can lead to more efficient loading and unloading of goods, reducing waiting times for vessels and overall operational costs.

From an environmental point of view, the present measurements are useful. They will also help in understanding the dispersion of pollutants and sediments within the port area. This is vital for a healthy marine environment and for dredging and other coastal engineering works. The Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) provides a more sophisticated and easier way of measuring these currents than was done by traditional techniques.

3. How do ADCPs using the Doppler principle work?

The principle of operation of ADCPs is based on the Doppler effect. They emit acoustic signals into the water. These signals interact with particles in the water that are moving with the current. As the particles move, the frequency of the reflected signal changes due to the Doppler effect.

Ship-borne ADCP

When a ship-borne ADCP is used in the Batu Ampar port, it is installed on a vessel. It produces an acoustic pulse, either in a downwards or sideways direction, depending on the orientation of its head while it is moving in water. After sending the signal, the ADCP flow meter will collect the signals reflected back through the water column. It calculates the velocity at a specified depth using the Doppler shift within these signals. The profile of the current structure will thereby be attained during the travel of the ship.

Fixed ADCP

Fixed ADCPs can be installed on structures like piers or buoys. They continuously transmit acoustic signals in a downward-looking direction. The returning signals are analyzed for their Doppler shift. By continually measuring the current at the same place, fixed ADCPs record the current velocity and direction over the long term, thus providing good information on the behavior of the current near the entrance of the port or another area of interest.

4. What is required for high-quality measurement of currents in Batu Ampar port?

For high-quality current measurement in the Batu Ampar port, the equipment should be made of reliable materials. The design should be small in size and lightweight, especially for ship - borne ADCPs. This will make it easy to install and transport.

Low power consumption is very much necessary, especially for fixed ADCPs since it will have to work on a continuous basis. It also ensures cost-effectiveness by enabling the use of a greater number of devices toward complete measurement of current.

The preferred material of construction for ADCP current meter casing is titanium alloy. As far as the marine surroundings in a port are concerned, corrosion resistance is quite required for this alloy. The saltwater in Batu Ampar port can cause corrosion to ordinary metals. Titanium alloy will, therefore, be resistant to the corrosive effect of seawater, ensuring that the equipment can last for a long time. 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: Applicable when one has to make measurements of currents at the instances of vessel movements. The same can also be deployed by ships in Batu Ampar to measure the current that has occurred along their track, in view of navigation and operational purposes.

Sit-on-bottom ADCP: Suitable for long-term and fixed-point monitoring of currents near the seabed. In the port, it can be used for monitoring 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 general area for a long period with some flexibility in location, then a buoy-based ADCP can be used. In the Batu Ampar port, it can be placed in areas where ships may not frequently pass but are still important for understanding the overall current patterns.

Based on Frequency

For waters up to 70m deep, an ADCP profiler with a frequency of 600kHz is usually appropriate. For depths around 110m, a 300kHz frequency is more suitable. And for very deep waters up to 1000m, a 75kHz ADCP is the better option.

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.