ADCP in Ketapang Port: Ocean Current Measurement

1. Where is Ketapang port?

Ketapang port is in Indonesia; it is one of the major transportation hubs along its coasts. It enjoys a strategic position that easily allows trade and maritime traffic in the region.

Port Scale and Throughput

The port of Ketapang has a remarkable scale. The variety in the cargo handled involves agricultural products, especially from the surrounding areas like fruits, spices, and rubber. Added to that are construction materials, general cargo, and fishing-related products. The actual throughput would vary depending on the season and local economic activities. It can berth small fishing boats up to medium-sized cargo ships.

Routes and Business

The Ketapang port is connected with other domestic ports in Indonesia, facilitating the shipment of goods to and from other parts of the country. It also has international shipping connections, although this is more limited compared to the bigger ports. The business activities involve the exportation of local produce and importation of essential goods for the local population and industries. Shipping routes support the local fishing industry and the movement of goods to and from the hinterland.

Port Management and Operation

The port management is focused on ensuring smooth and efficient operations. The port authority oversees the docking of vessels, cargo handling, and storage. They implement strategies to optimize the use of port facilities and resources. Safety and security measures are in place to protect the port infrastructure, workers, and cargo.

Port Facilities

The port has facilities to meet its requirements for operation. It has various sizes of berths to accommodate the vessels. Loading and unloading equipment such as cranes and forklifts are also available for cargo handling. Storage areas, warehouses, and cold storage for perishable goods are in adequate number. Basic facilities for ship-repairing and maintenance to cater to the local fishing fleet and other vessels are also available.

Channels and Direct Ways

The channels in Ketapang port are maintained to keep ships navigating safely. They are constantly dredged to keep proper depth. The port has direct ways to other important ports in the region. The transportation of goods will be easier and regional trade may be promoted.

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

Measuring ocean currents in the Ketapang port is of great importance. Firstly, for the safety of the vessels. Given the mix of fishing boats and cargo ships, knowledge of current patterns is essential for safe navigation. Currents can affect a vessel's ability to dock and undock smoothly and can pose a risk during transit. By having accurate current measurements, the port can provide real - time information to captains, reducing the likelihood of accidents.

The second reason is for the effective running of the port. Knowledge of the existing patterns helps in the best utilization of the port facilities. For instance, it can help in identifying the most effective places for cargo handling and storage depending on the direction and strength of the currents. This will result in a more efficient way of loading and unloading goods, hence reducing the waiting time for vessels and the overall operational cost.

In addition, from an environmental point of view, measurements at present are useful. They can indicate the dispersion of pollutants and sediments within the port area. The information is important for a healthy marine environment and also in the planning of dredging and other coastal engineering works. Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) provides a more advanced and convenient way of measuring these currents compared to traditional methods.

3. How do ADCPs using the Doppler principle work?

ADCPs are based on the principle of the Doppler effect. ADCPs emit acoustic signals into the water. The emitted signal interacts with particles in the water, which move due to the current. During the flow, the frequency of the reflected signal is changed due to the Doppler effect.

Ship-borne ADCP

The ADCP current meter will be installed on a vessel when using ship-borne ADCP at the Ketapang port. While the ship cruises over the water, the ADCP flow meter sends out acoustic pulses in either a looking-down or looking-to-the-side direction. The signals reflected back from the water column are received and analyzed for reflected signals. These reflected signals undergo a Doppler shift, enabling the calculation of the water current velocity at different depths. This can allow the profiling of the current structure while the ship is in motion over the area.

Fixed ADCP

Fixed ADCPs can be installed on various structures, like piers and buoys. They continuously transmit acoustic signals in a looking-down direction. The signals reflected are analyzed for their Doppler shift. As fixed ADCPs continuously monitor current at a particular location, they are capable of providing a long-term record of current velocity and direction at the place concerned. This would help in depicting the current behavior near the port entrance or other important areas.

4. What does it take to have high-quality measurement of currents at the Ketapang port?

For high-quality current measurements in Ketapang Port, the equipment should have good material. The equipment would be small in size and lightweight, which will have advantages, especially for shipborne ADCPs, because light equipment is easy to mount and transport.

Above all, low power consumption is essential, since fixed ADCPs have to work for a long period of time. Cost-effectiveness will be another important issue because multiple devices are desired to deploy in order to acquire comprehensive current measurement.

Titanium alloy is preferred in the making of ADCP current profiler casing. Excellent corrosion resistance of titanium alloy is crucial in the sea environment. Saltwater in Ketapang port may corrode ordinary metals. The reason titanium alloy is used in this equipment is that it resists the corrosive action of sea water and ensures that the equipment has a long life. It also has a high strength-to-weight ratio, which reduces the overall weight of the device without compromising on the structural integrity.

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

Based on Usage

Ship-borne ADCP: Suitable when one has to measure the current in a moving vessel. On the Ketapang port, the same can be applied in fishing boats and cargo to measure the current that they travel along, and thus would assist in their navigations or making of other operations.

Sitonbottom ADCP: Suitable for the long-term and fixed-point monitoring of currents near the seabed. In port, it can be applied for monitoring the current behavior in specific locations such as near the berths or around underwater structures.

Buoy-based ADCP: When the goal is to monitor currents over a long period in one area and have some flexibility in location, then a buoy-based ADCP can be used. In Ketapang 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

With frequencies of 600kHz an ADCP profiler usually is appropriate up to about 70m of water. Frequencies of about 300kHz are applicable at 110m while the even longer wavelengths-corresponding to the frequency of a 75kHz can obtain satisfactory data even from water to 1000m.

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.