ADCP in Belawan Port: Ocean Current Measurement

1. Where is Belawan port?

Belawan port is in North Sumatra, Indonesia. This seaport is a key gateway to international and domestic trade within the region.

Port Scale and Throughput

It is a port of large scale with high throughput. It caters to all types of cargo: from containers to bulk cargo, such as coal, palm oil, and rubber, to general cargo. The annual container traffic is considerable, and the volume of cargo in general is incessantly growing due to its strategic location and extensive trade connections. It is capable of berthing large vessels such as container ships, tankers, and bulk carriers in big numbers.

Routes and Business

Belawan is connected to a vast network of shipping routes. Domestically, it serves as a central point for distributing goods to other Indonesian ports and inland destinations. Internationally, it has strong connections with ports in Asia, Europe, Australia, and the Americas. The business activities cover a wide range of imports and exports. Imports include machinery, electronics, consumer goods, and chemicals, while exports consist of local agricultural and natural resources like palm oil, coffee, and rubber.

Port Management and Operation

The port management is highly effective and committed to providing a seamless and safe operation. The port authority manages the various functions, including vessel traffic management, cargo handling, and storage. Advanced technologies are in place to control the flow of ships and goods. Safety and security issues are paramount, with a high level of security that safeguards the port from such threats as piracy, smuggling, and terrorism.

Port Facilities

Belawan port is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. It has multiple deep - water berths with different characteristics to accommodate various vessel sizes and types. There are modern cranes and other cargo-handling equipment that can handle high - volume and heavy - load operations. The storage facilities are extensive, with container yards, warehouses for different types of goods, and specialized storage for hazardous materials and perishable items. Additionally, there are comprehensive ship - repair and maintenance facilities.

Channels and Direct Routes

The channels in Belawan port are in good condition, regularly dredged for the safe passage of ships. Direct shipping routes link the port with major key ports around the globe. Such channels have an important role in efficiently allowing ships and cargo to move quickly and facilitate the high-volume trade activities the port is used to.

2. Why is it necessary to measure ocean currents in Belawan port?

It is very important to measure ocean currents in the Belawan port. Firstly, for safety reasons concerning the ships. As there is a high volume of shipping, knowledge about the pattern of currents will be highly useful for safe navigation. Currents could affect the ship's ability to maneuver during docking and undocking; strong or unpredictable currents can lead to collisions or vessel and port infrastructure damage. With current measurements, the port authority can inform the captain in real time to enable precise maneuvers.

The second reason is for the efficient running of the port. Knowledge of the existing patterns aids in the proper utilization of the port facilities. For instance, it can help identify the most suitable locations for cargo handling and storage, considering 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.

Also from an environmental perspective, current measurements nowadays are useful; for instance, dispersion of pollutants and sediments in the area around the port could be provided, which is relevant information concerning a healthy marine environment, but also in relation to dredging and other near-shore engineering works. For measuring such currents, the use of ADCP profiler represents the more advanced and handy system as compared to the more classical systems.

3. How do Doppler principle ADCPs work?

ADCPs are based on the Doppler effect. They send acoustic signals into the water. These signals scatter off particles in the water that are moving with the current. Due to the Doppler effect, the frequency of the reflected signal is shifted by the movement of the particles.

Ship-borne ADCP

A ship-borne ADCP installed in the Belawan port is installed on a vessel. The ADCP current profiler sends out acoustic pulses either in a downward-looking or side-looking direction as the ship travels 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 are mounted on structures such as piers or buoys. They continuously transmit acoustic signals in a downward direction. The reflected signals are further analyzed for the Doppler shift. Fixed ADCPs can provide a long record of the current velocity and direction by continuously monitoring the current at a certain place, useful for understanding the current behavior near the port entrance or other critical areas.

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

The equipment to be used for high-quality current measurement in the Belawan port should be made from reliable materials. The design should be small in size and lightweight, particularly for ship-borne ADCPs, to allow for easy installation and transportation.

The power consumption should be low, particularly for fixed ADCPs required to operate continuously. Cost-effectiveness also plays a major role because it allows several deployments of devices for current measurement coverage.

The casing of ADCP flow meter is preferably made of titanium alloy. The use of Titanium alloy offers excellent corrosion resistance, an essential element in the marine environment at the port area. The saltwater in Belawan 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: This is applicable when you intend to measure the currents in regard to the movement of the vessel. In the Belawan port, this can be utilized by ships to determine the current along their path in order to assist in their navigation and operational decisions.

Bottom-mounted ADCP: Suitable for long-term and fixed-point measurements of currents near the seafloor. In the port, this 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 a current in an area over a long period and there is some flexibility in location, a buoy - based ADCP could be used. At Belawan port, this can be installed in areas where vessels may not pass frequently but are essential for monitoring the general pattern of currents in that area.

Based on Frequency

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

There are well-known ADCP meter 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.