Application of ADCP to Ocean Current Measurement in Kobe Port

1. Location of Kobe Port

Kobe Port is located within the city limits of Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture in Japan. It boasts the status of the most vital international ports in the Seto Inland Sea.

Scale and Annual Throughput

Kobe Port is one with great magnitude where the length of the quay is pretty long with all types of berths. Its annual throughput is pretty high. Its cargo contains many different varieties; in addition, the port handles a lot of containers. The port is an important facility for the import and export of automobiles, steel products, and industrial goods in general. Container terminals can deal with a volume of cargo assessed in TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) on the remarkable level, its importance in Japanese international trade being very great.

Routes and Business

The port has a well-developed network of shipping routes, connecting with major ports in Asia like Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Singapore, while there is also a linking with most of the leading ports in Europe and the Americas. The core businesses include importing raw materials, such as iron ore and coal, and exporting high value-added products, like electronics and precision machinery. Kobe Port is also an important trans-shipment center, taking care of the movement of goods between different regions.

Port Management and Operation

Kobe Port is operated by a professionally run port authority that pays much attention to efficient management of the operation, safety, and concern for the environment. Advanced technologies are being utilized both for handling cargo and vessel traffic control. Labor is also adequately trained in such operations as loading/unloading vessels, customs clearance, and logistics. Moreover, the port has established stringent measures to ensure the security of cargo and vessels.

Facilities of Port

The port has modern facilities. It has large-scale container terminals equipped with high-capacity quay cranes to load and unload containers from large vessels. Similarly, there are automobile terminals with specialized equipment to handle vehicles efficiently. There are also bulk cargo terminals for handling materials like grains and ores. In addition, the port has ship-repair facilities and warehouses for the storage and distribution of goods.

Channel and Direct Shipping

Kobe Port has well-maintained channels, through which various vessels can be passed. The depth of the channels is good enough to handle deep-draft ships. Many of the major ports have direct shipment services from the port. This would reduce transportation costs and times, thereby increasing competitiveness in the global market.

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

Ocean current measurements in Kobe Port are very important.

Navigation Safety

Precise knowledge of the ocean currents is critical to the safety of the ships. Currents may affect the speed and course of a ship. In a busy port like Kobe, with a big number of vessels continuously moving in and out, the knowledge of the pattern of current assists pilots in navigating safer. Stronger currents near the entrance of the port or inside the channels could lead to a collision or grounding. With the measurement, such risks could be minimized.

Cargo Handling Efficiency

Ocean currents have an effect on the stability of ships both in loading and unloading cargo. Badly understood current conditions might raise some level of inefficiency in the handling of cargoes. An example could be misalignments due to currents of a ship, which delay the rate of operation either when being loaded or while unloading cargoes. Through the measurement of currents, the management at ports could effectively schedule various operations with added efficiency.

Environmental Protection

Currents thus contribute to the spreading of pollutants within the port. In events where oil or dangerous chemicals are spilled into the water, knowledge of the current pattern would be useful for predicting the travel of such pollutants. This therefore allows quick and efficient response measures that can be taken as a way of protection of the marine environment and the coastline.

Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler(ADCP) is a more advanced and convenient way of measuring ocean currents compared to traditional methods. It provides real - time data with accuracy, which is highly effective for the efficient operation of Kobe Port.

3. How do ADCPs using the Doppler principle work?

ADCP Measurement Principle

The working principle of ADCPs is based on the Doppler effect. The device emits acoustic signals into the water. These signals, while passing through the moving particles in the water-suspended sediments or small organisms for instance, change in frequency. If the particles are moving towards the ADCP, the frequency of the reflected signal will shift to a higher side, while in the case of moving away, the frequency decreases. By measuring this frequency shift, the ADCP calculates the velocity of the water in which the particles are suspended.

ADCP in Port Current Measurement-Particular Methods

Ship-borne ADCP

A ship -borne ADCP is installed on the hull of a ship. While the ship is underway, 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 deployed at distinct locations around the port, such as in proximity to the berths or points of the channel that are more critical. In this case, the ADCPs continually measure the velocity and direction of the current at a point. Long-term, high-resolution data obtained using these ADCPs provides critical insight into local current characteristics that, among other things, affect berthing/unberthing operations and other specific activities around ports.

4. What is to be done for high-quality measurement of Kobe Port currents?

Equipment Reliability

Reliable ADCP equipment is needed for current measurement in Kobe Port. It has to be resistant to the harsh conditions of the marine environment: high waves, salt water, and typhoons. The materials used in the construction of the ADCP should be of high quality to ensure long - term operation with minimal breakdowns.

Small in size, light in weight, and low power consumption

Conveniently small-sized and lightweight ADCP has a good advantage. It is easily mounted on ships or in fixed locations. The light weight further reduces the load on the installation structure. Low power consumption, especially for fixed-mounted ADCPs that may rely on battery power or limited power sources, is very important. This allows them to operate continuously over long periods.

Low Cost

The equipment cost should be relatively low to enable the wide deployment of ADCPs in the port for comprehensive current measurement. In this case, a lower-cost ADCP will be able to install multiple units at different locations, providing more comprehensive and extensive current data.

Titanium Alloy Casing

The housing of the ADCP shall be fabricated from titanium alloy. For example, in the Kobe Port area, a seawater environment requires highly corrosive resistance. Besides being very light in weight, that makes the device more portable with much ease during installations. Mechanical properties include being very strong and durable for resisting the physical stresses or impacts associated with a marine environment.

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

Usage

Ship-borne ADCP

If it is intended to map the overall current patterns in the port area during ship movements, a ship - borne ADCP is to be chosen. It would provide a continuous stream of data as the ship sails through different parts of the port.

Bottom-mounted (Sit-on-bottom) ADCP

For long - term measurement of current conditions at a fixed location near the bed, for instance, around locations where sediment transport is an issue, a bottom - mounted ADCP is appropriate. It can deliver high resolution of current behaviour close to the bed.

Buoy-mounted ADCP

An ADCP on a buoy will be helpful if the current profile has to be measured in a much more mobile or flexible way. The buoy would drift with currents and enable insight into dynamic current patterns within the port.

Based on Frequency

For water depths up to 70m, a 600kHz ADCP would be suitable for high-resolution current measurement, while for greater depths up to 110m, a 300kHz ADCP is superior. For waters as deep as 1000m, a 75kHz ADCP is more appropriate.

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 Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler(ADCP)  instrument brands and models.