ADCP's Application to Ocean Current Measurement in Bilbao Port

1. Where is Bilbao Port?

Bilbao is a city in the Basque Country, northern Spain. The Port of Bilbao is a very important marine facility that has an advantageous location in the Bay of Biscay.

Port Scale and Throughput

The Port of Bilbao is big and busy, handling large volumes of cargo. It is famous for its wide range of cargoes, which include everything from containers to steel products and other industrial materials. Every year, the container traffic is great, with it being an important outlet for the local steel and manufacturing industries, too. The size and capacity of the port are such that big vessels can be handled comfortably, which is a big factor in foreign trade.

Routes and Business

It has extensive shipping routes that link it with different parts of the world. Major business sectors include the export of steel and industrial products, while the import of raw materials and consumer goods is also immense in the port. This port acts as a crucial link in the supply chain of many industries in the region and beyond. Besides this, it is increasingly becoming a part of the cruise industry, with more cruise ships arriving in recent years and boosting tourism.

The management of the port rests on the hands of professional persons who have a core competence in assuring efficiency and sustainability. Their responsibilities are on berthing arrangement, cargo handling operations, and security matters. Advanced management systems facilitate their role to optimize ship and cargo flow, thereby realizing quick turnarounds with quality services. Also, in the course of managing this port, a great deal of respect is attached to the protection of the environment through measures reducing pollution and wastage.

Port Facilities

The port has state-of-the-art facilities, including deep-water berths that can accommodate large container ships and bulk carriers. It has modern cranes for loading and unloading containers and other heavy cargo. There are also extensive storage areas for different types of goods, including temperature-controlled warehouses for perishable items. In addition, the port offers services related to ship repair and maintenance.

Channel and Direct Shipping

The channel of the port is dredged to have a good depth to enable safe passage of ships. There are direct shipping links to the main ports in Europe, America, and other continents. This network of direct shipping facilitates quick and efficient movement of goods with minimum time and cost involved for the businesses dependent on the port.

2. Why should we measure the ocean currents in the Bilbao Port?

The measurement of ocean currents in Bilbao Port is very important for its proper functioning. First of all, current data is crucially needed for the safe navigation of vessels. The Bay of Biscay may develop strong and variable currents, and knowledge of these currents enables captains to navigate vessels with precision during entry and exit from the port. It is essential to prevent accidents and to maintain ships and port infrastructures safe. Second, ocean currents have an effect on the handling of cargo within operations. As proper cognizance of currents enables the port to perform such operations optimally for maximum efficiency and minimal loss due to damaged cargo and equipment during the cargo loading and unloading processes, by considering the stability of floating equipment used in cargo operations. Thirdly, ocean current measurements are important in the prediction of sediment movements concerning the maintenance of the depth level of channels and berths inside the port. It provides a basis upon which plans and measures for dredging operations are ensured to keep it long-term functional.

The ADCP current meter is a more advanced and convenient method for current measurement. It can provide real-time and detailed current information at different depths, which is highly beneficial for the port's operational decision-making.

3. How do ADCPs using the Doppler principle work?

In general, ADCPs work according to the principle of the Doppler effect. They send acoustic signals into the water. These signals are changed in frequency whenever they come in contact with moving particles or any other substance moving with the water current. It is from this change in frequency that the water current's velocity is calculated.

ADCP in Port Ocean Current Measurement

Shipborne ADCP

Shipborne ADCPs are fitted onto ships. Along with the forward motion of a ship in the area of a port, an ADCP current profiler transmits acoustic pulses upwards and towards its sides; it measures the velocity of the current at variable depths along a path the ship makes in its path. Data forwarded in real-time on board facilitates change of course or speed by current compensations with the help of a navigation system or onboard monitor system.

Fixed ADCP

Fixed ADCPs are installed at fixed locations within the port, on the seabed, or mounted on the sides of port structures. They tend to operate by continuous monitoring of ocean currents in a given area. The data from fixed ADCPs represents long-term views of the current patterns and can be applied for port planning and infrastructure maintenance.

4. What is required for high-quality measurement of Bilbao's port currents?

The equipment to measure currents in Bilbao Port should be made of reliable materials. It should be able to bear the marine environment as a result of seawater corrosion and pressure changes. The design should be small, lightweight, and consume low power. This compact size allows for its installation in different locations around the port. Low power consumption ensures longer-term operation with no frequent need for battery replacement or other trouble in the way of power supplying. Besides this, cost-effective solutions will facilitate large-scale use of measurement equipment.

The casing of ADCP flow meter is preferably made of titanium alloy. Titanium alloy has excellent corrosion resistance, which is very important for long-term use in seawater. It also has a high strength-to-weight ratio, enabling it to bear high pressure without adding excessive weight. Besides, it is biocompatible, having a minimal impact on the marine environment.

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

Usage Purpose

• Shipborne ADCP: It is fitted for the measurement of currents during the movement of ships. It gives real-time current condition data when the ship sails in a port to facilitate navigation and operational safety.
• Sitting-bottom ADCP: Very useful for the long-term fixed-point observation of some area of interest in the port, it continuously presents a stationary perspective of what happens at this point. It is good for knowing long-term features of currents and the maintenance of port infrastructure.
• Buoy-mounted ADCP: This is helpful in areas where fixed equipment installation on the seabed or on ships is not practical. The buoy-mounted ADCP is capable of floating on the water surface and measuring the currents around it, hence offering flexibility in measurement locations.

According to Different Frequencies

• In water as shallow as 70m, the 600kHz ADCP will serve best since it can give very accurate current measurements in relatively shallow water.
• For depths of about 110m, the 300kHz ADCP will be more appropriate since it can measure the current at that depth effectively.
• In deeper waters of up to 1000m, the 75kHz ADCP is recommended for reliable current measurement.
• There are well-known ADCP brands such as Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. However, the Chinese brand China Sonar PandaADCP is also a great option. It is made of all-titanium alloy material and offers an excellent 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.