Page 10 - The STAT Trade Times September 2022 Issue

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with fire containment characteristics,
such as the fire resistant container (FRC)
and fire containment cover (FCC), as
well as the fire containment bag (FCB).
“However,” he said, “the current design,
performance and testing requirements for
FRC, FCC and FCB are all based on Class
A fires which are in ordinary combustible
materials such as wood, cloth and paper,
cardboard, rubber and plastics. There
has been an increasing demand in the
air transport industry to standardise their
regulations. “For example,” he said, “Too minimum performance against fire involv-
often, airlines are not enforcing the required ing lithium-ion cells.”
procedure of providing a ULD Exchange Marino of Unilode also reported the
Control (LUC) custody transfer message. So increasing demand for FRCs. “We're also
the potential demurrage or storage charges looking at lightweight aluminium containers
are also not enforced,” he said. because they can be reused and recycled,
and other composite materials for durability
Implementing new standards With the conversion and strength,” he said.
When it comes to industry standards and of A321 passenger Muehlenkamp noted that there is a rise in
regulations, IATA, for example, maintains a the need for AAY containers and he attrib-
series of ULD control standards including the aircraft to freighters, uted it to the conversion of A321 passenger
ULD control receipt (UCR) that controls the aircraft to freighters. “The AAY container fits
ULD movement on the ground. ULD types such as the perfectly on the main deck of many narrow
Liao said, “We highly recommend, when- AAY container are body freighter aircraft such as the Airbus
ever there is a ULD transfer, to use UCR as it is 320F and 321F or the Boeing 727F and 737F.
available in digital format as well, in both IATA on a rise. Typically equipped with a net and cover for
Cargo XML format as well as integrated into use in the express industry, it can also be de-
the One Record data model.” Frank Muehlenkamp signed for more specific purposes,” he said.
Jettainer
Even whilst reporting that IATA has “Moreover, the trend in the future is
received commitments from some big ULD efficient we will all become. That applies to toward even more resistant and lighter ULDs
leasing companies to be the proof and pio- customers, service and equipment providers, – in particular if fuel prices continue to rise,
neer, he is more concerned about the status and logisticians of all stripes. “For individual lighter ULDs help to save CO2 and kerosine.
of the implementation of such standards. companies, these days and looking ahead, Recycled carbon fibres are being used for
“We would like to see more action than proof to be a market leader, you must also be a lightweight containers and contribute to
of concept,” he said. technology leader,” he said. sustainability by coming closer to a circular
Whilst mentioning the significance It is also important for the industry to economy,” he added.
of technology's contribution to efficient come together, enforce standards and make Seitz reported that DoKaSch's own
ULD management, Liao noted that the parties that don't comply, accountable. And research and development centre is already
most critical element to achieve is senior the penalties for either demurrage or repair working on new materials for the produc-
management support. He said, “Major need to be enforced. However, unless there's tion of cost-efficient and at the same time
airlines reported that during the pandemic a collective approach to this issue, it's not go- sustainably air freight ULDs.
the attention to ULDs was never compro- ing to work, particularly when ULD functions Meanwhile, Townes of ACL Airshop
mised even when they suffered resource are evolving. expressed his excitement over new players
constraints and were able to recover and The ULD contours and base dimensions and products entering the cold chain for the
bring all the assets back to their hubs. This is are standardised among the global avia- movement of perishables, pharmaceuticals,
mainly because of the senior management's tion industry to comply with the aircraft and other temperature-sensitive products.
support and commitment.” contours and cargo handling systems. “We also foresee the advent of drone deliver-
He also said that “IATA has also been However, new functions of ULDs are evolv- ies, someday even very large drones, so ULDs
promoting ULD awareness to give ULDs the ing with new regulatory requirements will need to be certified for those new styles
recognition it deserves.” and market demand which triggers the of airborne platforms. Possibly the interior or
Townes of ACL Airshop noted that they development of new ULDs. exterior configurations of the load-handling
work with ULD Care, IATA and TIACA for the systems might not conform to what we have
regulations and standards. “For training, the New ULD types in place today. For some brave companies
more seamlessly we can all digitalize every Liao noted that more and more airlines it will pay dividends to cut some new paths
phase of the industry, end to end, the more are interested in the deployment of ULDs forward,” he said. 
8 | SEPTEMBER 2022 www.stattimes.com