ADCP's Application to Ocean Current Measurement in Fangcheng Port

1. Where is Fangcheng Port?

Fangcheng Port is located on the Beibu Gulf in southern China, belonging to the city of Fangchenggang, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Its strategic location at the northern edge of the Beibu Gulf provides it with easy access to major shipping lanes in the South China Sea. This makes it a vital maritime gateway for southwestern China, opening the region for sea transport towards Southeast Asia-for example, towards Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore-and also towards other international destinations across the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Furthermore, it acts as an important port in the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor for the flow of goods from inland China to the sea.

Port Scale and Throughput

Fangcheng Port is a big and multifunctional port. It has a lot of berths, which are designed for different types of vessels, including large-scale bulk carriers, container ships, and Ro-Ro vessels. Its annual throughput is very large and encompasses a broad range of cargoes. It plays an important role in the import and export of coal, iron ore, and grain. The port deals with products, mainly involving industrial development products of petrochemicals, and steel products, among many more. Then, Fangcheng Port has shown stability in cargo that is loaded due to its construction projects occurring around the regional facilities.

Route and Business

The particular port has multiple networks of routes, which even consist of connected services to important destinations in the regions of Southeast Asia: to the ports like Haiphong, Vietnam, Malaysia's Klang, as well as to the Singapore Hub. These connections ensure the smooth flow of goods within Southeast Asia. There are also regular shipping lines to other international ports to promote international trade. Regarding business, Fangcheng Port actively involves itself in general cargo handling, container transshipment, and Ro-Ro operations. It also functions as a storage and distribution center, with modern warehousing facilities that assist in the efficient flow of goods. The port's location has attracted the development of related industries, such as port - based manufacturing and logistics services.

Port Management and Operation

Managed by the Fangchenggang Port Group, the port operates with a focus on safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability. The management is responsible for maintaining the port's infrastructure, including berths, quays, and storage facilities. They enforce international shipping regulations, safety standards, and environmental protection measures. The port authority works in close cooperation with shipping companies, freight forwarders, and other stakeholders to further develop its operations and increase the port's competitiveness. This includes cargo-handling process improvements, reductions in waiting times for vessels, and investments in modern technologies related to port operations.

Port Facilities

Fangcheng Port is a modern port with efficient facilities. There are large-capacity container cranes that can load and unload containers from ships quickly and efficiently. For Ro-Ro vessels, it has dedicated ramps and handling areas. It has storage areas that include warehouses for general cargo and large-scale open-air yards for bulk commodities. Besides this, the port also offers ship-repair and maintenance facilities to commercial and local fishing vessels. Specialized terminals have been developed for handling liquid bulk cargo, such as oil and chemicals, ensuring safe and efficient operations. There are also modern logistics parks adjacent to the port, facilitating the seamless transfer of goods from ship to land transportation.

Waterways and Direct Navigation

The waterways leading to Fangcheng Port are well - maintained and regularly dredged to ensure safe passage for vessels. The port has a clearly marked channel, and navigational aids such as buoys and lighthouses are in place to assist ships during their approach. It has direct access to the Beibu Gulf and further to the South China Sea, allowing vessels to easily connect to the global shipping network. The port is also connected to inland waterways and railways for the transportation of goods to and from southwestern China's interior, hence extending its hinterland.

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

Navigation Safety

Knowledge of the ocean currents at Fangcheng Port is very essential with a view to navigation safety. Tide, monsoon wind, and mass circulation in the South China Sea all contribute to the current characteristics in Beibu Gulf. Therein, in- and off-loading, these currents may bring very strong ship traffic, and inside the limits of the ports, they significantly complicate ships navigating through channel entrance and maneuvering. Based on the sea currents measured in that area, masters of the vessels can independently decide on necessary route changes that might help avert collisions and grounding.

Optimization in Port Operations

Ocean current data is crucial for optimizing port operations. When berthing vessels, the direction and strength of the current need to be carefully considered. A strong current can make the berthing process more challenging and time - consuming. With accurate current measurements, port operators can plan the best times for vessel maneuvers, allocate resources more effectively, and improve the overall efficiency of cargo - handling operations. Currents also impact the operations of port-related equipment, including tugboats and floating cranes, and the knowledge of such factors improves operational safety and productivity.

Environmental Protection

The measurement of ocean currents is indispensable in environmental protection, especially in the port area. Currents are considered a significant factor in pollutant dispersion. For instance, after an oil spill or leakage of other hazardous materials, knowledge of current patterns enables predictions of how the contaminants will spread. In doing so, this will enable environmental managers to take proper precautions in advance and cleanup measures to protect the sensitive marine ecosystem of Beibu Gulf and surrounding coastal areas.

It has, therefore, emerged that the ADCP current meter is a reliable and efficient tool in the measurement of ocean currents in Fangcheng Port, providing high-precision and real-time data.

3. How do ADCPs using the Doppler principle work?

Measurement Principle

The ADCPs make use of the Doppler effect. When an ADCP current profiler sends an acoustic signal into the water column, the sound waves encounter suspended particles in the water, such as sediment or small organisms. As these particles move with the water current, the frequency of the sound waves reflected back to the ADCP is different from the original transmitted frequency. The ADCP measures this frequency shift, known as the Doppler shift. By using the Doppler equation, the instrument can determine the velocity of the water current at different depths within the water column.

Specific Methods in Port Current Measurement

• Ship-based ADCP: In this, a ship-mounted ADCP is mounted on a moving ship. Because the ship travels along the track within Fangcheng Port waters, the ADCP measures the current velocity at various depths along the track. This technique is helpful in obtaining an overview of the broad-scale conditions prevailing in the port, which is very useful for large - scale navigation planning.
• Fixed ADCP: They are fixed at some locations in the port, either at seabed or on fixed structures such as piers and buoys. They can continuously measure current conditions at one point over an extended period and produce very valuable data on the long-term trends and local variations of the currents.

4. What is necessary for high-quality measurement in the currents of Fangcheng Port?

Reliability of the Equipment

For high-quality current measurement in Fangcheng Port, the ADCP flow meter equipment must be highly reliable. The marine environment of the Beibu Gulf is very aggressive, with high salinity, tropical weather conditions, and possible exposure to typhoons. In such conditions, the ADCP should be able to bear all these factors without breakdowns. Reliable equipment ensures consistent data collection, which is crucial for accurate analysis and decision-making.

Size, Weight, and Power Consumption

The ADCP meter should be compact in size and lightweight. This makes it easier to install, especially in situations where space is limited, such as on small local vessels or in confined port structures. Low power consumption is also a key factor, as it allows for long-term operation, especially for fixed-installed ADCPs that may rely on battery-powered or solar-powered systems.

Cost-effectiveness

ADCP cost should also be reasonable enough to enable large-scale measurement in the port area. A moderately priced ADCP allows multiple deployment, if required, to monitor current data around different parts of the port comprehensively.

Material Selection

The casing of the ADCP profiler is preferably to be made of titanium alloy. It has excellent corrosion resistance, necessary for long-time usage in the marine environment of the Beibu Gulf. It is strong and lightweight, meeting the demands of both durability and ease of installation.

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

Based on Usage

• Ship-borne ADCP: It will be ideal for large-scale surveys of the port area. In a situation when a ship has to get quick information on current conditions over a wide area, a ship-borne ADCP will be appropriate.
• Sit-on-bottom ADCP: This type would be fitted for long-term monitoring of particular positions in the port area; for example, near the entrance or close to berths.
• Buoy-mounted ADCP: Useful for obtaining data at the water surface and for areas where fixed-bottom installation is not feasible.

Based on Frequency

• For water depths within 70m, an ADCP with a frequency of 600kHz is suitable.
• A 300kHz ADCP is appropriate for water depths up to 110m.
• When dealing with deeper water areas, a 75kHz ADCP is the right choice.

There are several well-known ADCP brands in the market, such as Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. However, for those seeking a cost-effective and high-quality option, the Chinese brand China Sonar PandaADCP is highly recommended. It is made of all-titanium alloy material, ensuring excellent durability in the marine environment, and offers an incredible cost-performance ratio. You can check them out at their website, https://china-sonar.com/.

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