ADCP's Application to Ocean Current Measurement in Wenzhou Port

1. Where is Wenzhou Port?

Wenzhou Port is located at the southeast coastal area of China, in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province. It is directly bordered by the East China Sea, so it has direct access to the main shipping routes of the Pacific Ocean. This port is really important to Wenzhou and the other surrounding regions for them to construct their economy. It is almost like a massive bridge for importation and exportation of commodities. It connects the local region and markets within China as well as to markets within Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The port is also close to the Oujiang River. This allows one to utilize the river in order to transport goods into and out of the province's interior.

Port Size and Throughput

Wenzhou Port is a medium-sized to a large-sized port. It has many different capabilities. There are many berths where many different ships may be anchored. Container ships, bulk ships, and Ro - Ro ships all can dock there. The port handles a great deal of many different commodities in a year. Wenzhou is famous for its light industry products like shoes, clothes, and small electronic appliances, and the port is an important one for exporting the products overseas. Aside from that, it receives raw materials such as steel, plastic, and chemical products to fuel the domestic manufacturing industries. It also receives some agricultural produce and special cargo for use in construction activities within the region.

Routes and Business

The port enjoys extensive routes. It's directly connected to major Chinese ports like Shanghai, Ningbo - Zhoushan, and Xiamen. These connections provide the free flow of commodities in the domestic market. There are also regular shipping lines to Asian ports, such as Busan in South Korea, Tokyo in Japan, and Singapore. For commerce, Wenzhou Port is busy with the reception of general cargo, transshipment of containers from one ship to another, and Ro - Ro operations. It is also a place for storage and distribution of goods, with contemporary warehouses to facilitate the easy movement of things around. As a result of its strategic position, related industries like logistics, warehousing, and light manufacturing have sprung up around the port.

Port Management and Operation

The Wenzhou Port Authority operates the port. They are responsible for three big things: safety, making the port work effectively, and keeping the environment safe. They take care of the port's buildings and facilities, including berths, quays, and warehouses. They ensure that national and international shipping laws, security requirements, and environmental protection laws are met. The port authority collaborates with shipping companies, freight forwarders, and other persons involved in the port business to enhance the port. They try to maximize the processing of goods, reduce waiting time for ships, and introduce new technologies in port operations.

Port Facilities

Wenzhou Port has modern and useful facilities. There are huge container cranes that can load and unload containers from ships efficiently. For Ro - Ro ships, there are dedicated ramps and areas for handling them. The port also has storage facilities for goods. There are general commodity storage facilities and large open terminals for bulk products that are large. It also has facilities for ship repair and maintenance, which are both for large commercial ships and small fishing boats. There are also special terminals for the management of liquid bulk cargo, like oil and chemicals, to make sure that all are secure and run well. Aside from the port is the modern logistics park that allows one to transport the goods easily from ships to terrestrial means, such as trains or trucks.

Waterways and Direct Navigation

The waterway to the port is well maintained and is frequently dredged. This is in order to ensure that the ships can sail safely through it. The port has a free channel, and there are buoys and lighthouses to guide ships in when they're coming in. It's directly connected to the East China Sea, so it can easily enter the world shipping system. The Oujiang River is also one of the major inland waterways for commodities to be shipped between and from the interior of Zhejiang Province. It enlarges the service area of the port.

2. Why must we measure the ocean currents in Wenzhou Port?

Navigation Safety

It is extremely important to be aware of the ocean currents in Wenzhou Port for safe navigation. The East China Sea currents are affected by tides, monsoon winds, and the Kuroshio Current. The currents can change the speed and direction of ships, especially when they are docking, undocking, or sailing in the port channels. By tracking ocean currents, ship captains can make educated choices, change course if needed, and avoid colliding with objects or running aground.

Port Operations Optimization

Information on ocean currents is very helpful when it comes to port operations optimization. If a vessel is arriving for docking, current direction and speed need to be taken into account carefully. A very strong current makes docking more difficult and time-consuming. With accurate measurements of the current, port operators can plan the optimal times to have ships carry out transport, conserve resources better, and make the whole process of cargo handling more efficient. Currents also influence how equipment belonging to the port, like tugboats and floating cranes, move around. Knowing such factors can result in safer operations and increased productivity.

Environmental Protection

The measurement of ocean currents is essential for understanding the protection of the environment within the port. Currents have a significant function in the distribution of pollutants. In case an oil spill or other toxic substances are leaked, knowledge of the current trends can enable one to foresee where the pollution will spread. This assists environmental managers in responding promptly to prevent further damage and clean up the spill. It safeguards the delicate marine ecosystem within the East China Sea and the coastal regions nearby.

ADCP (Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler) is a high-resolution and effective approach to the measurement of ocean currents in Wenzhou Port. It offers very accurate and real-time data.

3. How does ADCPs work on the Doppler principle?

Measurement Principle

ADCPs work on the Doppler effect principle. When an ADCP sends an acoustic signal into the water, the sound waves hit small particles in the water, like sediment or small organisms. As the particles move with the water current, the frequency of the returned sound waves to the ADCP is different from the original frequency. The ADCP measures this change in frequency, which is known as the Doppler shift. Through a particular equation, the instrument is capable of computing the velocity of the water current at different depths in the water column.

Specific Methods in Port Current Measurement

• Ship - borne ADCP: A ship - borne ADCP is mounted on a moving ship. When the ship moves in Wenzhou Port, the ADCP can give the current velocity at different depths along the route of movement of the ship. It is a good way to get a large - scale vision of the current condition in the port. It helps a lot in planning large - scale navigation.
• Fixed ADCP: Fixed ADCPs are placed at specific points within the port, for example, on the seabed or on permanent installations like piers or buoys. The ADCPs can measure the prevailing conditions at a location over an extended period of time. They are useful in giving information about long-term trends and local changes in the currents.

4. What does high-quality measurement of Wenzhou Port currents demand?

Equipment Reliability

For accurate current measurement in Wenzhou Port, the ADCP equipment must be extremely reliable. The marine environment in the East China Sea is of high salinity, variable weather, and occasional typhoons. The ADCP must be capable of withstanding such harsh conditions without frequent breakdowns. Reliable equipment ensures the data is gathered in a uniform manner. This is extremely crucial for precise analysis and sound decision-making.

Size, Weight, and Power Consumption

The ADCP has to be compact and lightweight. This is for convenience in mounting, especially where there is limited room, for example, on small local boats or in small port installations. Low power consumption is also very important. It facilitates long-term use, especially for fixed-installed ADCPs that can be powered from batteries or solar panels.

Cost - effectiveness

To be able to see the currents around the port on a bigger scale, the ADCP should not be too expensive. Having a budget - friendly ADCP enables us to have more than one in case we need it. We can therefore have an overview of current information from more than one location around the port.

Material Selection

The external part of the ADCP must be constructed of titanium alloy. Titanium alloy is corrosion-resistant, which is necessary for long-term operation in the salty sea water environment of the East China Sea. It is also light yet strong, which is the necessity for long-term survival as well as installation ease.

5. How to Select Proper Equipment for Current Measurement?

According to Use

• Ship - borne ADCP: It's great for the large - scale survey of the port. A ship - borne ADCP is best when a ship wishes to rapidly study the current situation across a wide region.
• Sit - on - bottom ADCP: That one's for monitoring specific sites in the port over the course of time, like close to the entrance or near the berths.
• Buoy-mounted ADCP: It can be utilized in getting data in the water surface and where mounting of an ADCP on the seafloor is not feasible.

By Frequency

• Up to 70m water depths, an ADCP with 600kHz frequency is appropriate.
• Utilize a 300kHz ADCP for up to 110m water depths.
• With more deep water stations, a 75kHz ADCP is suitable.

There are also several mainstream ADCP brands on the market, including Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. But if you want a cost - effective and high - quality model, there is one strong recommendation that comes from China. The Chinese brand ADCP manufacturer China Sonar PandaADCP is an excellent choice. It's made entirely of all - titanium alloy, so it's very robust in the marine environment. It also boasts a great cost - performance ratio. You can check out their website at https://china - sonar.com/ for more information.

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