ADCP's Application to Ocean Current Measurement in Chennai Port

1. Where is Chennai Port?

Overview of Chennai Port

Chennai Port, earlier known as Madras Port, is located along the Coromandel Coast in the Bay of Bengal in southeastern India. It constitutes one of the oldest and largest ports of the country and a major entrance to trade from the South part of the nation. The port is situated inside the city of Chennai where the capital of Tamil Nadu, India, is located, and is very important to the country's maritime trade.

Port Scale and Throughput

Chennai Port handles over 60 million tons of cargo annually, including containers, automobiles, petroleum products, and bulk commodities. It is the second-largest container port in India, handling over 1.5 million TEUs per year. The port also supports cruise tourism, though the focus remains commercial shipping.

Shipping Routes and Operations

The Chennai Port links India with major markets in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. It is run by the Chennai Port Trust and specializes in containerized cargo, car exports, and petroleum products. The port operates on a landlord model where private companies operate the terminals while the trust provides the infrastructure and maintains the channel.

Port Facilities and Navigation Channels

• Berths: 24 berths with draughts of up to 16.5 meters to accommodate Panamax and Post-Panamax vessels.
• Terminals: Dedicated container terminals, oil terminals, and bulk cargo terminals include Bharat Dock and Jawahar Dock.
• Navigation Channels: Dredged to 16.5 m, with modern navigational aids to guide ships safely.
• Special Features: The port hosts a Free Trade Zone with the aim of attracting foreign investment and a VTS (Vessel Traffic Service) for safe navigation.

2. Why Measure the Ocean Currents in Chennai Port?

Importance of Ocean Current Measurement

• Navigational Safety: Bay of Bengal has a strong seasonal current and swells from the monsoon. Precise current data ensures vessels navigate the area safely during the entire monsoon period (June–September).
• Operational Efficiency: Real-time current profile allows optimizing of docking schedule, saves fuel and reduces delays for container ships and oil tankers.
• Sediment Management: Sedimentation from the Cooum and Adyar rivers requires precise dredging. Current measurements guide cost-effective maintenance.
• Environmental Protection: Monitoring currents helps track pollution, such as oil spills, and protects sensitive ecosystems in the Bay of Bengal, such as coral reefs and fish breeding grounds.

ADCP: The Advanced Solution

Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers provide high-resolution, three-dimensional current data at a much superior level compared with the traditional mechanical methods. Ability to operate in dynamic and variable environments makes ADCPs ideal for Chennai Port.

3. How Do ADCPs Using the Doppler Principle Work?

The Doppler Principle

ADCPs transmit acoustic pulses into the water column, typically between 300-600 kHz. When these sound waves reflect off suspended particles, such as sediment or plankton, the frequency shift between the transmitted and returning waves is measured by the Doppler effect. The shift calculates the current speed and direction at several depth layers.

Methods of ADCP Deployments in Ports

• Vessel-Mounted ADCPs: These are installed on tugboats, survey vessels, or oil tankers to map the currents during transits. Ideally used for navigating channels and areas of berthing.
• Fixed ADCPs: Anchored to the seabed or mounted on piers for continuous monitoring. For studying tidal cycles, storm surges, and seasonal current variations.

4. What's Needed for High-Quality Measurement of Chennai Port Currents?

Key Requirements for ADCPs

• Durability: The Bay of Bengal is in the tropical climatic zone and subject to monsoon conditions, requiring the casings to be made from titanium alloy for resisting corrosion and physical stress.
• High Accuracy: Measurements should be very accurate for tracking oil spills and sediment management.
• Compact Design: Lightweight, compact units ease deployment in congested port zones.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Affordable solutions allow for large-scale deployment across the port's 16.5-meter-deep channels.

Advantages of Titanium Alloy Casing

Saline water from the Bay of Bengal and the resultant storms brought by the monsoon. High strength to protect the internal electronics during heavy vessel traffic. Non-magnetic, hence accuracy of sensors in magnetically sensitive situations.

5. How to Choose the Right Equipment for Current Measurement?

Choosing the Correct ADCP

Vessel-mounted ADCPs-600 kHz model for shallow zones (<70 m), as in the vicinities around the oil terminals.

• Bottom-Mounted ADCPs: Install 300 kHz units in the main shipping channel for year-round monitoring, where the depth is between 70–110 m.
• Buoy-Mounted ADCPs: Install 75 kHz devices to monitor surface currents in open waters, fitted with storm-resistant buoys.

Frequency Selection Guide

Recommended ADCP Brands

Global leaders include Teledyne RDI and Nortek. Among them, China Sonar PandaADCP, with its full titanium casing and advanced performance at competitive prices, stands out in cost-sensitive projects. Learn more at (https://china-sonar.com/).

Conclusion

The ADCP current meter technology at the Chennai Port should be very critical in ensuring navigational safety, operational efficiency, and environmental protection. By integrating vessel-mounted and fixed ADCP systems, port authorities can optimize oil spill response, reduce maritime risks, and protect the Bay of Bengal's ecosystems. The China Sonar PandaADCP, with its affordability and titanium durability, is one of the top choices for India's premier southeastern port.

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