Application of ADCP to Ocean Current Measurement in Sharjah Port

1. Where is Sharjah Port?

Sharjah Port is situated on the Arabian Gulf in the Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. It enjoys a privileged position in the region, along with the advantage of proximity to all the shipping lanes crossing the Arabian Gulf. This strategic positioning has further enabled it to play a significant role in Sharjah's economic development and turn into a crucial link within the oceanic commerce flow of the UAE.

Scale and Throughput of Port

Sharjah is a medium- to large-size port with broad activities. Having numerous berths of different nature means that every kind of vessels may be served there, including from small and middle-sized container carriers to bulk carriers and general cargo vessels; its annual throughputs are at high levels due to the ability of the harbor to handle manifold kinds of merchandise. It plays a very important role in the import and export of consumer goods, industrial raw materials, and construction supplies. Further, due to its location in a region with a growing economy, it also handles high-value products, such as electronic items and other luxury goods. The port also plays a part in the local fishing and seafood industry, landing and distributing fresh catches.

Routes and Business

The port has a massive network of shipping routes. Major ports are linked directly within the Middle East region, particularly those in Dubai, Jebel Ali, and Abu Dhabi, by the facilities, thereby advancing their ability for good movement internally in the United Arab Emirates, or UAE, as well as more generally to Middle - Eastern businesses. This would include routine shipping lines towards Karachi Port, Mumbai Port in Asia, Southeast Asian ports. These routes allow smooth trade between the UAE and Asia, which is a strong import catcher and an export market. The port undertakes diverse business ventures that range from general cargo handling to container trans-shipment and goods storage to distribution.

Port Management and Operation

The Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority manages the port. The port functions in line with the intent of efficiency, security, and due compliance. Infrastructure at this port includes the responsibility of the management for maintenance, which encompasses berths, quays, and storage facilities. They enforce adherence to international shipping regulations, safety standards, and customs procedures. The port authority also coordinates closely with shipping companies, freight forwarders, and other stakeholders in the interest of facilitating operations and shortening vessels' turnaround times to achieve a higher level of competitiveness for the overall port.

Port Facilities

Sharjah Port is well facilitated with modern infrastructure to handle cargo of various types. There are container -handling cranes, which can efficiently load and unload containers from ships. General purpose cranes for other dry cargo are available apart from this. As far as liquid cargo is concerned, the facilities include storage tanks and pipelines to handle products like oil and chemicals, although on a lesser scale compared with some of the bigger oil - handling ports in the UAE. It has large-scale warehouses for dry goods and open-air yards for bulk commodities. Besides, the port has basic facilities for ship repair and maintenance to support the shipping activities in this port.

Waterways and Direct Navigation

The waterways approaching Sharjah Port are well maintained and constantly dredged for safe passage of vessels. There is a well-marked channel into the port, with all navigation aids like buoys and lighthouses that enable ships to safely approach the facility. It opens directly into the Arabian Gulf and enables vessels to connect easily with the global network of shipping.

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

Navigation Safety

Proper knowledge of ocean currents at Sharjah Port is highly necessary for safe navigation. Current patterns in the Arabian Gulf are influenced by tides, the movement of water masses, and local wind patterns. Such currents may considerately affect the movement of vessels, especially when berthing, unberthing, and navigating within channels. Measured ocean currents help captains make proper decisions and adapt navigation in order not to get into possible collisions or groundings.

Port Operations Optimization

Ocean current data is important in optimizing port operations. In berthing vessels, the direction and strength of the current have to be put into careful consideration. A strong current can make the berthing process more difficult 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 affect the movement not only of ships but also of port-related equipment, like tugboats and floating cranes. Knowledge of such factors will greatly contribute to increased safety and efficiency in operations.

Environmental Protection

The measurement of sea currents is crucial for environmental protection in the given area. Currents are essential for the dilution of polluters. When some sort of leakage has happened, current data gives some ideas for a prognosis. Such a phenomenon permits the Environment Protection Administration of taking all efficient preventative and recuperation measures of the sensitive Arabian Gulf and Persian coastal ecosystems' area.

With its emerging as an efficient tool in the ocean current measurement at the Sharjah Port, Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler(ADCP) gives very accurate and real-time data.

3. How Do the Doppler Principle-Based ADCPs Work?

Principle of Measurement

Doppler's principle of operation is the basis that works in an ADCP current meter. When an ADCP sends an acoustic signal into the water column, its sound waves encounter suspended particles in the water, such as sediment or small organisms. These particles are moving with the water current; hence, the frequency of the sound waves reflected back to the ADCP flow meter is different from that at the time of transmission. This frequency shift, the so-called Doppler shift, is measured by the ADCP. Using the Doppler equation, the instrument then can measure the velocity of the current at depth within the water column.

Specific Methods in Port Current Measurement

• Ship - borne ADCP: A ship-borne ADCP is mounted on a vessel in motion. During its sailing in the waters at Sharjah Port, for example, it will measure current velocity at a number of depths over the vessel's track. It serves useful means to achieve a broad view of the current condition in a port for large-scale navigation planning.
• Fixed ADCP: The fixed ADCPs are installed at specific locations in the port on the seabed or fixed structures like piers or buoys. The ADCPs will, in this way, be able to monitor current conditions at one point continuously over long periods and provide real long-term trends and local variations of the currents.

4. What needs to be done to achieve high-quality measurement of currents in Sharjah Port?

Reliability of Equipment

The ADCP equipment must be highly reliable for superior current measurement at Sharjah Port. High salinity, high temperatures, and possible exposure to sand and dust in the marine environment of the Arabian Gulf will require the ADCP to bear these conditions without frequent breakdowns. Reliable equipment means consistent data collection, something important for proper analysis and making decisions.

Size, Weight, and Power Consumption

It should be compact in size and lightweight, which will make it easier to install, especially where there is a small space inside the vessel, such as in small local vessels or even within confined port structures. Power consumption should also be low to enable it to operate for a long period, especially for fixed-installed ADCPs, which are mostly dependent on battery-powered or solar-powered systems.

Cost-effectiveness

The ADCP would need to have a reasonable cost to allow measurement over the area of the port on a large scale. It is very efficient in the deployment of a large number, if necessary, since a cost-effective ADCP helps in recording all comprehensive current data from different parts of the port.

Material Selection

The casing of the ADCP is preferably made of titanium alloy. Corrosion resistance in the salty marine environment of the Arabian Gulf is exemplary in the case of this alloy. Besides, it is strong and lightweight; hence, it would also meet both the requirements of durability and ease of installation.

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

Based on Usage

• Ship - borne ADCP: This is good for large - scale surveys of the port area. For any urgent necessity of a ship to know the current conditions over a large area, it selects a ship - borne ADCP.
• Sit - on - bottom ADCP: They are also good for point, long - term current monitoring in specific locations in the port, such as near the entrance or close to berths.
• Buoy-mounted ADCP: Used for data acquisition at water surface and areas where the fixed-bottom installation is impractical.

Based on Frequency

• For a water depth within 70m, one can choose an 600kHz. ADCP.
• A 300kHz ADCP can be used in water having depths up to 110m.
• For deeper water, the proper choice is the 75kHz ADCP.

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 their website at https://china-sonar.com/ for more information.

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