The abbreviation ULD is ubiquitous in air cargo transport, as it is the air cargo containers that allow individual pieces of cargo, baggage or mail to be assembled into a single unit. ULD pallets and containers are usually made of aluminium sheet with special profile frames that allow them to be quickly loaded and unloaded from an aircraft. In this article we will give you a handy overview of the use of ULD in air transport.
The rapidly changing industry of ULD
The market for Unit Load Device containers (ULDs) is changing rapidly. To meet stricter safety requirements and more sustainable performance, it is crucial that air cargo containers become lighter, require fewer repairs and have less impact on the environment. High-quality performance is an absolute necessity in this market, to ensure that the air cargo industry can reach new heights.
Consider, for example, the increasing use of para-aramid fibre, which makes ULD containers significantly lighter and more durable than standard aluminium containers. Moreover, this type of super fibre is heat-resistant and as much as five times stronger than steel at the same weight.
The technology behind tracking ULDs
The need to track unit load devices (ULDs) with vital loads has always been important. In recent years, transportation requirements have become increasingly specific, especially in the area of time- and temperature-sensitive cargo, so the way the industry tracks the location of ULDs is constantly evolving.
Currently, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is the only medium that can transmit information over a short distance without the need for expensive antennae to detect ULD containers. Although other technologies such as radio frequency identification (RFID) and GPS have been used previously, they have not been convincing enough, particularly because the power supply cannot be guaranteed for a long period. The development of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the possibilities of active tracking are currently a huge field of new possibilities.
Air cargo on the agenda? Choose VRR
For more than 30 years, VRR Aero has been specialised in the perfect delivery of air freight. VRR has the most popular air freight containers and pallets in the standardised ULD units. This way, large quantities of goods of any kind, from perishable good to even horse air transport,
can be moved in the air and time and labour costs are saved during the loading process. If you want to know more about VRR and ULD transport, visit the website to find all the information you need.