ADCP's Application to Ocean Current Measurement in Jeddah Port

1. Where is the Location of the Jeddah Port?

Jeddah Port is on the Red Sea coastline of Saudi Arabia. It is one of the most important ports in the Middle East.

Scale of Port and Throughput

The port is large-scale with huge facilities. It enjoys very high throughputs, managing to handle a tremendous cargo volume every year. It is one of the busiest container ports, handling a good amount of TEUs traffic. Besides that, it also handles different bulk cargo, including oil, gas, and other industrial commodities. Strategically positioned, it acts as an important connecting point in international trade, promoting the importation and exportation of goods between the Middle East and the rest of the world.

Routes and Business

It is also serving several ranges of shipping routes. Its linkage extends to major ports in Europe, Asia, and Africa. International trade goods include the main business handled in this port: consumer products, machinery, building materials, etc. This is one of the vital hubs for Saudi Arabia's exportation of oil and petroleum products. The economic development of Saudi Arabia is therefore fostered in promoting trade and commerce through the role played by this port.

Port Management and Operations

The port is well-organized, having a well-managed port authority. Management ensures that operations, safety, and security are well conducted. Advanced technologies are used for handling and tracking cargo. Workers are very well trained in handling all types of operations, whether loading and unloading containers or bulk cargo. There are strict regulations and procedures to be followed in order to facilitate the smooth flow of goods and vessels.

Port Facilities

Jeddah Port also boasts ultra-modern facilities. It is endowed with modern container terminals, accompanied by high-capacity cranes capable of handling big container ships. Besides that, there are terminals for both liquid and dry bulk cargo. The port similarly boasts large areas for storage, consisting of a warehouse and an open-air yard. Moreover, facilities providing ship repair and maintenance services have been made available to keep the vessels in good shape.

Channel and Direct Shipping

The port is well serviced by channels, which enable the passing of big vessels. This is further aided by the fact that the depth of the channels can accommodate deep-draught ships. It has direct routes to various big ports around the globe. These routes enhance its competitiveness in global trade by reducing time and costs of transport.

2. Why is it necessary to measure the ocean currents in Jeddah Port?

It is very important to measure ocean currents in Jeddah Port.

Navigation Safety

The knowledge of ocean currents is critical in ensuring that the ships are safe. Currents are important in making determinations about speed and course for a ship. With correct data regarding the currents, the pilots would navigate the vessels in this busy port, Jeddah, which experiences many comings and goings of various vessels, in a much safer manner. At places of entrance into the port or channels, strong currents can always result in possible collision or grounding. Measurement reduces these risks.

Cargo Handling Efficiency

Since ocean currents bear on the ship, good knowledge of its conditions could definitely impact loading and unloading tasks. Lack of proper knowledge results in decreased handling efficiencies because operations dependent upon tides might result in non-aligned proper alignment of ships. Hence, it directly affects the delay in the operational task. To schedule an operative task at effective timings and make them efficient overall, the currents would be measured for scheduling the effective times.

Environmental Protection

Currents thus help in dispersion in the port area. Therefore, in any accidental oil-spill or leak of hazardous substance, the details of current in such a phenomenon become very vital and play an important role in predicting their movement. Consequently, quick response measures can be effectively organized for the protection of the marine environment and shoreline.

ADCP current meter is a modern and more practical way of measuring the currents in oceans compared to the traditional method. It will provide real time and accurate data that is extremely useful for the operation of Jeddah Port efficiently.

3. How do ADCPs using the Doppler principle work?

ADCP Measurement Principle

The ADCP current profiler works on the principle of the Doppler effect. The transmitter sends acoustic signals into the water. These signals, while passing through the water, get reflected back from the moving particles in water-suspended sediments or even small organisms-and the frequency of the reflected signals changes. If the particles are moving towards the ADCP profiler, the frequency of the reflected signal increases, and in case of moving away, it decreases. This frequency shift thus measures the velocity of the water in which these particles are suspended.

ADCP in Port Current Measurement-Specific Methods

Ship-borne ADCP

A ship-borne ADCP is installed on the hull of a ship. While the ship is underway through the water the ADCP measures the current velocity at various depths relative to the ship. In this way a profile of the current is obtained along the track of the ship. It is useful for mapping the overall current patterns in the port area and the approaches to the port.

Fixed ADCP

Fixed ADCPs are installed at specific locations in the port, such as near the berths or at critical points in the channels. These ADCPs continuously monitor the current velocity and direction at a particular point. They provide long-term, high-resolution data that is useful for understanding the local current characteristics affecting berthing and unberthing operations and other port-specific activities.

4. What is required to measure Jeddah Port currents with high resolution?

Reliability of Equipment

The ADCP meter equipment for the current measurement in Jeddah Port has to be reliable. It has to be resistant to harsh marine conditions such as high temperatures, saltwater, and possibly sand and dust. Materials used to build the ADCP should be of good quality so it will work for a long period without breaking down frequently.

Small in Size, Light in Weight, and Low Power Consumption

A small-sized and lightweight ADCP is advantageous. It is easy to install on ships or at fixed locations. Light weight reduces the load on the installation structure. Low power consumption is important, especially for fixed-mounted ADCPs that may have to rely on battery power or limited power sources. This allows operation over extended periods.

Low Cost

In order to make the ADCP flow meter deployments more general in the port for thorough current measurement, the cost of the equipment must be comparatively low. Lower-cost ADCPs will be able to be installed at more places, and current data with better details and extent will be achieved.

Titanium Alloy Casing

The casing of the ADCP profiler is preferably made of titanium alloy. Titanium alloy provides excellent resistance to corrosion, which is relevant at Jeddah Port in order to withstand the corrosive nature of seawater. In addition, it is lightweight, which enhances portability and makes its installation easy. Further still, titanium alloy is strong and durable to the physical stresses and impacts likely to result in the marine environment.

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

Based on Application

Ship-borne ADCP

If one wants to measure the general trend of current movements around the port due to ship traffic, a ship-borne ADCP will be suitable for measuring it. One will be able to receive continuous measurements when the vessel traverses over the entire port area.

Bottom-mounted (Sit-on-bottom) ADCP

For long-term current measurements at a certain location near the bed, for instance where sediment transport occurs, a bottom - mounted ADCP can be used. It can deliver information on current behavior near the bed in detail.

Buoy-mounted ADCP

When the focus is on measuring current profiles in a more mobile and flexible way, an ADCP mounted on a buoy can be used. The buoy can move with the currents to understand the dynamic current patterns in the port better.

Based on Frequency

A 600kHz ADCP would be suited for the measurement of current at a depth as high as 70m with resolution. A depth of up to 110m requires an ADCP of frequency 300kHz. For water as deep as 1000m, a 75kHz is more suited.

There are well-known ADCP brands like Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. However, for a cost-effective option, the Chinese brand China Sonar PandaADCP is recommended. It is made of all-titanium alloy materials and offers an excellent cost-performance ratio. You can visit their website at (https://china-sonar.com/) for more information.

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