Shantou Port Ocean Current Measurement by ADCP

1. Where is Shantou Port?

Shantou Port is located in Shantou, Guangdong, China. It is an important port located on the southern coastal area.

Port Scale and Throughput

Shantou Port is relatively large, with several berths and terminals. It handles all types of cargo, from containers to bulk cargo like grains and minerals to liquid chemicals. The throughput has been on the rise for years and thus constitutes an important part in the regional network of trade. For example, it offers a key transit point for goods moving between the local manufacturing centers and international markets.

Routes and Business

The port is integrated with various domestic and international shipping routes. Domestically, it has regular links with ports both in the Pearl River Delta and along the Chinese coast. On the international level, there are trade links with Southeast Asian and other ports. The main businesses involve the import and export of general merchandise, as well as transportation of raw materials for local industries.

Port Management and Operation

It is run in a very organized way by Shantou Port. Starting from ship scheduling to berth allocation and liaison of cargo handling, the port authority makes all the arrangements. Advanced technologies are implemented for enhancing these operations. To mention, digital systems may be employed for tracing the movement of ships and cargo to facilitate efficiency and safety concerns in operations.

Facilities

Modern facilities are installed in the port, including deep-water berths where medium-sized to large ships can be moored. The container terminals contain quay cranes and other handling machinery for loading and unloading containers. Storage areas also exist, comprising warehouses and open-air yards for different types of cargoes.

Channel and Direct Shipping

The navigation channels in Shantou Port are well serviced and offer access to ships. This port has enhanced its function in regional trade with direct shipping services to some of the nearby ports. These direct links save time and transportation costs, hence enhancing the efficiency of the flow of trade.

2. Why measure the ocean currents in the Shantou Port?

Importance for Ship Navigation

Accurate measurement of ocean currents is of higher importance in enabling good ship navigation in Shantou Port. Currents can drastically affect the speed and course of a ship. Knowledge of current patterns allows the captains of ships to make extremely accurate adjustments to their navigation plans. In a busy port environment, this contributes to avoiding collisions and facilitates smoother docking. For example, a strong cross-current near the entrance of the port is hazardous for ships, and current data will assist them in their approach in a far safer way.

Impact on Cargo Handling

The flow of ocean currents also has huge effects on cargo handling operations. Most frequently, irregular or very strong currents impede the workings of cranes and other handling equipment. By measuring the currents, the port would be able to do a better job of scheduling the loading and unloading of cargo, which smooths out operational efficiency and reduces the possibility of damage to cargo and equipment.

Environmental Monitoring

The measurement of ocean currents is of prime importance in the protection of the environment within the port area. In case of an oil leakage or other such pollution, data on currents would be useful in predicting the spread of pollutants. This will enable the port to take timely preventive and remedial measures to minimize impacts on the marine environment. ADCP profiler represents a more efficient and accurate way of ocean current measurement compared to previous methods. Therefore, it is very important for Shantou Port.

3. How do ADCPs applying the principle of the Doppler effect work?

Measurement Principle

Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler(ADCP) work on the principle of the Doppler effect. When an acoustic signal is transmitted into the water by the ADCP meter, the signal is scattered by particles and other substances present in the water. Due to the movement of water-or ocean current-the frequency of the scattered signal received back by the ADCP flow meter changes. By analyzing the frequency shift, one can calculate the velocity of the ocean current.

ADCP in Port Ocean Current Measurement: Shipborne ADCP

Shipborne ADCPs are installed on ships. During navigation around the Shantou Port area, the ADCP doppler continuously performs measurements on the ocean current at different depths in the direction of the path that the ship takes. The data gathered could provide real-time information on the conditions regarding the current, which is useful for the ship's navigation and operations.

Fixed ADCP

Fixed ADCPs can normally be installed at key positions in the port, like along the quay or on fixed buoys. These can monitor the ocean current in a certain area continuously for quite a long period of time. The data they collect may help with the understanding of long-term and stable characteristics of the ocean current in the port area.

4. What is required for high-quality measurement in Shantou Port currents?

Equipment Requirement

The ocean current in Shantou Port requires equipment with certain requirements to carry out high-quality measurements.

Material Reliability

The device has to be made from reliable materials, as seawater is corrosive in nature and the general marine environment is harsh. Materials used have to be good for corrosion resistance in order to maintain stability of measurement and accuracy for a long period of time.

Small Size, Light Weight, and Low Power Consumption

A small-sized lightweight ADCP benefits installation and operation, particularly for shipborne ADCPs. The low power consumption allows the equipment to work for a long period of time without needing to replace batteries or supply a lot of power, which is very important for both fixed and shipborne ADCP current profiler.

Low Cost for Mass Measurement

For large-scale current measurement in the port, the equipment cost should be relatively low; this allows several ADCPs to be deployed at various locations in the port so that more complete data on currents can be obtained.

The Use of Titanium Alloy for ADCP Casing - An Advantage

The material that is excellent for casings of an ADCP current meter is a titanium alloy; this is because it has superlative resistance to corrosion that could fight off the action of seawater. It has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio; that means it must be strong enough but light in weight, hence satisfying the criteria of small size and lightweight.

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

According to the Use Purpose To select equipment for the current measurement in Shantou Port, the use purpose should be considered.

Shipborne ADCP

If it is mainly performed during the voyage of a ship, then it has to be shipborne ADCP. It is able to move with it and measure the current condition in different areas of this port.

Sitting - Bottom ADCP

An appropriate choice for long-term fixed-point monitoring of the current at a certain place in the port would be the sitting-bottom ADCP. It is usually installed on the seabed and can continuously monitor the current around the spot where it has been placed.

Buoy - Type ADCP

Buoy-type ADCP is suitable for real-time monitoring of the current in a certain area of the port. The buoy can be floated on the water surface and the ADCP current on it can measure the current around it.

Selection Based on Different Frequencies

The ADCPs of different frequencies are suitable for application in different water depths. For instance, 600 kHz ADCP is suitable for water depths within 70 m; it gives more detailed current data in relatively shallow water areas. 300 kHz ADCP is suitable for a water depth up to 110 m. 75 kHz ADCP is appropriate for much deeper water, up to 1000 m. This enables the correct measurement of currents at various depths in Shantou Port according to actual water depth conditions.

There are several well - known ADCP brands such as Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. However, for a cost - effective option, the Chinese brand China Sonar PandaADCP is worth recommending. It is made of all - titanium alloy material and has an incredible cost - performance ratio. You can visit its website https://china-sonar.com/ for more information.

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