ADCP in Tanjung Api-Api Port: Ocean Current Measurement

1. Where is Tanjung Api-Api port?

Tanjung Api - Api port is in South Sumatra, Indonesia. This port is one of the strategic ports that play an important role in maritime trade and transportation in the region.

Port Scale and Throughput

The port has a considerable scale and throughput. It handles a diverse range of cargo, including bulk cargo such as coal and palm oil, containers, and general cargo. The annual cargo volume has been increasing due to its growing importance in the trade network. It has the capacity to berth a variety of vessels, from medium - sized cargo ships to large - scale container vessels and bulk carriers.

Routes and Business

Tanjung Api-Api is well-connected to domestic and international shipping routes. Domestically, it serves as a crucial link for transporting goods to and from other Indonesian ports. Internationally, it has connections to ports in Asia-Pacific and other regions. The main business activities involve the export of local resources such as palm oil and coal and the import of machinery, equipment, and consumer goods.

Port Management and Operation

The port management is focused on efficient and safe operations. The port authority oversees functions such as vessel traffic control, cargo handling, and storage. Advanced management systems are used to optimize the flow of goods and ships. Safety and security are emphasized, with strict measures to protect the port from various threats including piracy and illegal smuggling.

Port Facilities

Modern facilities at the port include several berths of varying lengths and drafts for various vessels. Advanced cranes and other cargo-handling equipment are used for the speedy loading and unloading of goods. The storage facilities include container yards, warehouses for different types of cargo, and cold storage for perishable items. Additionally, facilities for ship repair and maintenance are available.

Channels and Direct Routes

The channels in Tanjung Api-Api port are maintained for safe navigation. They have to be constantly dredged to maintain the depth required. It has direct shipping routes to other major ports in Indonesia and also international destinations. These channels are a necessity for high-volume trade activities and smooth movement of ships.

2. Why should we measure the ocean currents in the Tanjung Api-Api port?

Measuring the ocean currents in the Tanjung Api - Api port will be very important. First and foremost, it is important for the safety of the vessels. With a considerable volume of cargo, the current knowledge allows safe navigation. Unforeseen currents will create handling difficulties during docking and undocking; it may result in collisions of vessels or vessel damage. Accurate current measurements will enable port authorities to give real-time information to the captains of ships to aid them in making more precise maneuvers.

The second reason is for the effective functioning of the port. By understanding the prevailing patterns, this can help in the better utilization of port facilities. It can help in the siting of cargo handling and storage in relation to the direction and strength of the currents. This could lead to more efficient loading and unloading of goods, which reduces waiting times for vessels and overall operational costs.

Besides, the same measurements are important from an environmental point of view. They allow one to get some idea on the dispersion of pollutants and sediments in the port area-a very important factor for preserving a healthy marine environment and preparing dredging and other coastal engineering projects. Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) offers an advanced and more convenient method for measuring these currents compared with traditional techniques.

3. How do the ADCPs using the Doppler Principle Work?

ADCPs are based on the principle of the Doppler effect. Transducers of ADCPs emit an acoustic signal into the water. The signal interacts with the particles in the water. These particles move with the current, with a change in frequency of the reflected signal due to the Doppler effect.

Ship-borne ADCP

In applying a ship - borne ADCP in the Tanjung Api - Api port, this instrument is installed on a vessel. While the ship is in motion over the water, the ADCP current meter sends out acoustic pulses either in a downward-looking or side-looking direction. 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 the profiling of the current structure while the ship is in motion over the area.

Fixed ADCP

Fixed ADCPs can be installed on structures like piers or buoys. They continuously emit acoustic signals in a downward-looking direction. The reflected signals are analyzed for the Doppler shift. By continuously monitoring the current in one location, fixed ADCPs can provide a long-term record of the current velocity and direction, which is useful for understanding the current behavior near the port entrance or other critical areas.

4. What is required for high-quality measurement of currents in the Tanjung Api-Api port?

The equipment to be used for high-quality current measurement in Tanjung Api - Api port should be made from reliable materials. The design should be small in size and lightweight, especially for ship-borne ADCPs, to offer ease of installation and transportation.

Most important is low power consumption, mainly because fixed ADCPs will need to operate for extended periods of time. Cost-effectiveness would mean more devices can be deployed with the same budget for a full-scale measurement of the current.

The casing of the ADCP flow meter is preferably to be made of titanium alloy. Titanium alloy has excellent corrosion resistance, which is vital in the marine environment of the port area. Saltwater in Tanjung Api - Api port can give ordinary metals corrosion. Titanium alloy is resistant to the corrosive action of sea water, which will make the equipment last longer. 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 appropriate for the measurement of currents, which a vessel has to make during its movement. In the Tanjung Api - Api port, it can be installed on ships to measure the current along their path, thus helping in navigation and operational decisions.

Sitting or bottom ADCP: This could be the ideal solution for long-term and point fixed monitoring of currents in the near-bottom layer. Current behavior in the port of specific locations, such as near berth or around underwater structures can be monitored.

Buoy-based ADCP: This equipment shall be deployed in a region to measure the currents when one intends to have a considerable length of time for their measurements, yet has a certain flexibility on the location. In the case of Tanjung Api - Api, this would be deployed around regions that ships do not always go to but will also help understand the overall nature of currents in that region.

Based on Frequency

An ADCP profiler with a frequency of 600kHz is usually appropriate for waters up to 70m deep. For depths around 110m, a 300kHz frequency is more suitable. 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.