ADCP's Application to Ocean Current Measurement in Málaga Port

1. Where is Málaga Port?

Málaga Port is situated on the southern coast of Spain, along the Mediterranean Sea. It is a significant port that has played an important role in maritime trade and transportation for many centuries due to its strategic position.

Port Scale and Throughput

The port of Málaga enjoys a large scale and high throughput. It handles a wide variety of cargo, including containers, bulk cargo such as coal and ores, and general cargo. The annual cargo volume is huge, with a huge number of ships docking and departing from time to time. It is also one of the major ports for import and export of goods in the region, facilitating trade between Spain and other countries in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Routes and Business

Málaga Port has excellent connections to major international shipping routes. The port is a fundamental link with regard to cruise ships since many cruise liner companies include the city in their route. Its business portfolio, which is quite complete, runs from shipping and logistics to tourism-related activities. Entailing a great number of services related to cruise passengers, from terminals with restaurants and shops to tourist information. It also deals with commercial cargo and provides services related to warehousing, loading, and unloading.

Management and Operation of the Port

It operates on an efficient management structure run by professionals who pay more attention to efficient operations and safety. The management of the port controls the difficult traffic system of movement of vessels to ensure the flow of ships. They operate and maintain, and even modernize the infrastructural elements of the port, such as deep-water berths, quays, and storage areas. The port adheres to high environmental and security standards for the protection of the surroundings and vessels alike.

Port Facilities

The port is fitted with ultra-modern facilities. There are deep-water berths that are capable of taking large container ships and cruise liners. It also has a diverse range of cargo-handling machinery, including high-capacity lifting cranes and conveyor belts that facilitate the movement of bulk cargo in a very short time. These include large-sized warehouses for general cargo and specialized storage for perishable goods and hazardous materials.

Channel and direct navigation

Malaga's port has a well-maintained and marked channel, affording it direct access to the sea. Its depth is also adequate to admit even the large draft vessels. The necessary navigation aids to allow the safe access of ships into the port and back into the sea are established with buoys, lighthouses, and radar. Due to the privileged situation of the city, access both ways between the major ports of the Mediterranean is relatively simple.

2. Why should we measure the ocean currents in the Málaga port?

Measurements of the currents in Málaga port are relevant on many grounds. For navigation, knowledge of current patterns will be helpful for captains to optimize their routes and speed. The ships could make use of favorable currents so as to save fuel and time. For example, the knowledge of the currents would ensure that passengers have a more comfortable and efficient journey in the case of a cruise ship approaching or leaving the port.

The current measurements are essential for the docking and undocking of ships at ports. Tugboats rely on this information to provide the right amount of support to vessels while maneuvering, ensuring safe and smooth passage. Additionally, for moored ships, knowledge of currents enables the determination of required mooring to avoid the ships from drifting and causing damage to the port infrastructures or other vessels.

From an environmental perspective, ocean current data is indispensable to the waste management and pollution control in the port. Currents influence the dispersion of pollutants and transportation of sediments. By measuring currents, the port could better handle the disposal of wastes and avoid sediments accumulating at places that would result in the loss of depth in the channel or berths. In this respect, the ADCP gives an advanced and superior means of measuring currents compared to earlier methods.

3. How do ADCPs using the principle of Doppler work?

The ADCPs work on the basis of the Doppler principle. They emit acoustic pulses into the water column. It is these pulses that interact with particles in the water, mostly suspended sediments, plankton, or other small objects. As those particles are further carried by the water current, so changes the frequency of the reflected sound waves due to the Doppler effect.

The ADCP measures the frequency difference between the emitted and received signals. From the Doppler equation, it calculates the velocity of the particles. The ADCP can measure the current velocity over a height within the water column; it gives the vertical profile of the current.

Ship - borne ADCP

An ADCP applied for a ship will be installed on a vessel. While the ship is moving in circles around the area of the port, the ADCP will constantly send and receive acoustic signals. The data from the time the ship has moved gives a good overview of the current pattern in different parts of the port. This kind of ADCP is useful for surveying over big areas and getting current data in real time.

Fixed ADCP: These are installed at fixed locations in the port, typically on the seabed or on a pier. They give continuous measurements of the currents at that point. They are extremely useful in the monitoring of long-term current patterns in areas with high traffic or in proximity to critical port infrastructure, such as the entrance of the channel or the berths.

4. What is needed to measure the Málaga port currents with high accuracy?

The equipment for the measurement of currents at Málaga port should have a number of desirable characteristics: the material of the equipment has to be reliable to stand harsh marine conditions; the size of the equipment should be small for easy installation, especially in areas with limited space either on the ships or in the crowded port facilities.

The weight of the ADCP should be light to simplify the installation process and reduce the load on the supporting structures. Low power consumption is also an important factor since this will enable the instrument to operate continuously without a large power supply. Cost-effectiveness is another important factor since the port may be required to deploy several units in order to achieve comprehensive current measurement.

The casing of the ADCP is preferably made of titanium alloy. Titanium alloy has excellent corrosion resistance, which is crucial in the salty marine environment. Besides, it is strong and light, which meets the requirements of durability and easiness of installation.

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

Based on Usage Purpose

Ship-borne ADCP: It is fit for mobile measurements. This would be ideal for ships that are on the move within the port area-for example, container ships, cruise ships, and bulk carriers. The ship-borne ADCP provides a means of measuring currents along the track traveled by the ship, which is useful in understanding the general pattern of currents in the port.

Bottom-mounted ADCP: These are perfect for fixed-point measurements. They are installed on the seabed near the docks, channels, or other critical port infrastructures. Bottom-mounted ADCPs provide continuous data about the currents at a specific location and are essential for monitoring the local current conditions

Buoy - based ADCP: Buoy - based ADCPs are perfect in areas where installation of fixed-bottom or ship-borne ADCPs is impracticable. They can also provide current measurements in the open water area of the port and are easy to deploy and maintain comparatively.

Based on Frequency

Frequency is chosen depending upon water depth. This ADCP of 600kHz is fitted for a water depth of up to 70m at Málaga port. In shallower waters towards shores or inner parts of the port, this would be ideal. A 300kHz ADCP will operate up to a water depth of 110m hence it will be able to serve for a bigger range of water depth variation. In the deeper waters within the port area, a 75kHz ADCP would suffice for water depths up to 1000m and would similarly be quite applicable in the approach channels.

There are well - known ADCP brands like Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. However, a Chinese brand, China Sonar PandaADCP, is also a great option. It is made of all - titanium alloy material, providing excellent durability and a high level of corrosion resistance. It also offers an attractive cost - performance ratio. You can visit their website (https://china-sonar.com/) for more details.

Here is a table with some well known Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler(ADCP)  instrument brands and models.