ADCP in Ocean Current Measurement of Macau Container Port

1. Where is Macau Container Port?

The Macau Container Port is situated in Macau, China. It comprises an important part of the sea structure of Macau, constituting a very vital part of its trade and logistical operations.

Scale and Throughput of the Port

Scale: Relatively smaller in scale compared to some major international ports. In general, it consists of container terminals with a limited number of berths, designed to handle vessels of a certain size range. The infrastructure needs to be developed for addressing the local needs in regard to the handling of containers. Throughput: The annual throughput of the Macau Container Port is average. It mainly deals in containers related to Macau's local industries, especially tourism products, hotel supplies, food and beverage imports to the local market, and some light industrial products. This throughput also addresses the needs for the transportation of goods going in and out of Macau and its environs.

Routes and Business

Routes: This is a port connected with an integral network of shipping routes that is mainly regional in its trade. It has regular connection to the ports in the Pearl River Delta region of China, such as Hong Kong and some in Guangdong. These are very important connections in terms of importing and exporting the goods necessary for the sustainability of the Macau economy.

Business: The business involves handling diverse containerized cargo. The major services provided in the premises are containers storage, loading and unloading. It also extends logistic support through customs clearances to arrange transport for the movements of goods to and from the port area to and from local destinations.

Port Management and Operation

Operating via an efficient system that monitors the entry and exit of ships, berth allocation, and cargo-handling operations, Macau Container Port is well managed. Safety and security are the strong points of the port management, and for that, strict rules and regulations have been implemented to safeguard the port facilities, the ships, and the cargo. They also focus on environmental protection. Due to the fact that Macau is very small geographically and environment is its asset, actions have been done to minimize the impact of the port operations concerning waste management and pollution control during cargo handling and shipping operations.

Port Facilities

The container terminals are fitted with quay cranes and gantry cranes matching the sizes of the vessels and volumes of containers handled. The clear layout in the storage yards is such that it provides an effective and efficient method of handling storage and retrieval of containers.

Auxiliary Facilities: Other facilities like the container-inspection areas, warehousing for value-added services related to the packing and unpacking of goods, and transportation-related infrastructure moving containers to and from the port area, serve ancillary facilities.

Channel and Direct Shipping

It is a deep draught facility where the port's channels are dredged to allow for easy passage for container ships. Though it may not have as many lines for direct long-distance international shipping, it could easily connect to other destinations through the regional ports to which it is so well-connected. In fact, this regional connectivity provides its better role within the supply chain.

2. Why need to do ocean currents measurement in Macau Container Port?

Impact on Ship Navigation

Measuring ocean currents is quite important for navigation in Macau Container Port. Currents can affect the speed and course of ships coming into and leaving the harbor. With relatively narrow channels and the need for exact docking in a container-handling port, accurate current information enables the captains to better adjust speed and course. This helps avoid possible collisions while also easing the process of docking and undocking.

Influence of Current on Goods Handling

The flow of an ocean current might determine the efficiency of the cargo handling operation. In the instances of strong, unstable currents, it is difficult to efficiently operate cranes and other handling gear. Measuring the currents will enable the port to efficiently schedule cargo-handling operations, considering the current in order to minimize the waiting time for ships and raise the general efficiency of the work.

Environmental Monitoring

Ocean currents measurement is very crucial to environmental monitoring in the port area. In case of a spill in the sea, either oil or any other pollutants, the current data helps in predicting the direction and speed of the spread of the contaminants. This allows timely preventive and remedial measures to be undertaken by the port to safeguard the marine environment. Compared to the earlier methods of measuring ocean currents, ADCP profiler is more advanced and convenient; hence, it is also suitable for Macau Container Port.

3. How do ADCPs using the principle of Doppler work?

Measurement Principle

Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler(ADCP) work on the principle of Doppler. An acoustic signal is sent by the ADCP current meter into the water, which initiates the measurement process. This signal is scattered by particles and other substances in the water. Because the water particles are in motion along with the ocean current, the frequency of the scattered signal received back by the ADCP current profiler will be unlike the frequency that was broadcast due to the Doppler effect. It is by measuring this shift in frequency that the velocity of the water particles and, hence, the velocity of the ocean current can be calculated.

ADCP in Port Ocean Current Measurement: Shipborne ADCP

ADCP doppler installed on ships: The ship, while in motion in the Mac. Container Port area, will continuously send and receive acoustic signals. It provides ocean currents data of various depths within the pathway that the ship is traveling through. The results can be utilised to deduce the current status in the location where the vessel is passing through and shall be very useful for the vessels while navigating through the container port.

Fixed ADCP

The fixed ADCPs are normally deployed at specified locations, for instance, on piers or buoys in Macau Container Port. These ADCP flow meter do not move; hence, they are measuring the constant current of the ocean around them. They can establish long-term and stable data on the current useful to understand the general patterns and change over time in the port area.

4. What are the requirements for high value, measurement of currents in Macau Container Port?

Requirements of Equipment

Material Reliability: Materials used to manufacture equipment must be highly reliable. They should withstand harsh marine conditions that include seawater corrosion, high humidity, and even impacts from floating objects. Small in Size, Light in Weight, Low in Power: A compact and lightweight ADCP has good benefit for installation and operation of the ADCP meter themselves, especially for shipborne ADCPs. Low power consumption allows the equipment to work for a very long time, avoiding frequent battery replacements or high-power supplies that are very essential both in the fixed and shipborne ADCPs.

Low Cost for Mass Measurement

To perform mass current measurements inside the port, the cost of equipment should be relatively low. So that several ADCP profiler could be deployed at different locations inside the port for acquiring more comprehensive current data.

Advantage of Using Titanium Alloy for ADCP Casing

The usage of a titanium alloy in ADCP casing is very good. Several advantages are associated with it. First, it has superior corrosion resistance, which can effectively resist the corrosive action of sea water and ensure that the equipment is reliably stable for a long time. Second, it has a high strength-to-weight ratio, which gives enough strength with comparative light weight, satisfying the requirements of small size and lightweight. Third, titanium alloy has good thermal stability, which is helpful for normal operations of equipment in different temperature environments in the Macau Container Port area.

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

According to the Use Purpose

Shipborne ADCP: If the measurement is mainly performed on ships, shipborne acoustic doppler velocity meter will be a good alternative. It should be capable of moving with the vessel and measuring the currents in various areas of the port which the vessel moves toward.

Sitting - Bottom ADCP: Sitting - bottom acoustic doppler flow meter shall be used to monitor long-term fixed-point current at a certain place in Macau Container Port. It is usually installed on the seabed and can continuously monitor the currents in its vicinity. Buoy - Type ADCP: Buoy - type ADCP can be used where real - time monitoring of the currents in some area of Macau Container Port is needed. The buoy will be able to float on the water surface, while the ADCP on it measures the currents around it.

Selection Based on Different Frequencies

The different frequencies of ADCPs are good to go for different water depths. For example, the 600 kHz ADCP is suitable for a water depth within 70 m and can provide more detailed current data in the relatively shallow water area. The 300 kHz ADCP is suitable for a water depth up to 110 m, while the 75 kHz ADCP is suitable for much deeper water at up to 1000 m. It allows current measurements to be conducted at different depths of Macau Container Port according to actual conditions of water depth.

There are several well - known ADCP brands such as Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. However, for those looking for cost - effective options, the Chinese brand China Sonar PandaADCP is highly recommended. It is made of all - titanium alloy material and has an incredible cost - performance ratio. You can visit its website (https://china-sonar.com/) for more information.

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