The value of ULDs has traditionally been judged through availability and positioning. However, with granular tracking, the question changes from ‘Where is the ULD?’ to ‘What does its movement tell us about the network?’
“For me, the real value of data is not simply knowing more,” Moritz Köhler, Chief Operating Officer at Jettainer, said. “It is being able to turn that information into better operational decisions. Our next-generation IoT tracking solution gives us much greater visibility of where our ULDs are at any given time.” The strategic value lies in converting that visibility into a clearer picture of network performance, rather than treating tracking as an end in itself.
Visibility can expose misplaced units, prolonged dwell and weak points that remain hidden when operators rely on fragmented information. The prize is not technology for its own sake, but better utilisation: fewer unnecessary movements, less equipment sitting idle and a more precise understanding of where capacity is actually needed.
“We can identify misplaced units and return them to the operational cycle more quickly,” Köhler explained. “We can also identify extended dwell times at particular locations, analyse the underlying reasons and use these insights to optimise both processes and fleets. This helps eliminate blind spots and makes weaknesses or gaps in the network much more transparent.”
From reactive management to prediction
Demand across air cargo and passenger networks can change quickly, while disruptions can cascade between stations; ULD management therefore becomes a balancing exercise between availability and excess. Data allows operators to act earlier, rather than carrying large buffers or moving equipment after shortages have already emerged.
“The objective is to ensure reliable ULD availability for our airline customers with as little equipment as possible,” Köhler said. “This means avoiding unnecessary positioning and excessive buffer stocks while ensuring 100 percent operational reliability. To achieve this, we combine a strong digital infrastructure and granular tracking data with the expertise of experienced ULD controllers and efficient steering processes via our JettwareNG software.” The commercial implication is significant: better information can reduce the amount of equipment required to deliver the same operational outcome.
If passenger and cargo flows can be forecast with greater accuracy, ULD fleets could be positioned ahead of demand rather than following it, turning an equipment-control function into a form of network optimisation. That could shift management attention from chasing individual units to understanding flows, exceptions and the economic consequences of every repositioning decision.
“I personally strongly believe in the potential of AI to better predict passenger and cargo flows around the globe and, as a result, enable faster real-time steering of our ULD fleet,” Köhler said. “Technology can give us the data and the tools, but it is the experience and operational knowledge of our teams that help us turn this information into the right decisions. The best results come from bringing together operational experience with data, technology and a truly global network.”
The bigger prize is an integrated cargo network
IATA ONE Record points towards a supply chain in which common standards make information easier to share between participants. For cargo and transfer baggage in particular, the ability to access relevant data at the right moment can make physical movements more predictable and operational decisions more timely.
“I believe ONE Record marks the beginning of a new era of collaboration in air cargo,” Köhler stated. “For the first time, we have a common data standard that can be used across the different participants in the supply chain. Greater interoperability and transparency can make the entire air cargo supply chain more efficient and ultimately create value for everyone involved.” The implication is that ULD visibility becomes more valuable as the surrounding information ecosystem becomes more connected.
The implication is less about buying more tracking technology and more about deciding how information should influence operating models. The value emerges when visibility feeds planning, planning informs positioning, and experienced teams can intervene before disruption becomes an expensive operational problem. In that model, the ULD is no longer simply an item of equipment to be controlled; it becomes a data point through which the network can be understood, challenged and optimised.
“Resilience and flexibility are more important than ever,” Köhler stated. “Experienced teams, reliable data, digital tools and a global network allow us to respond quickly and maintain ULD availability even when conditions become challenging. In an increasingly volatile environment, the ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances can make a real difference to operational performance and business opportunities.”
The post ULDs become a data asset appeared first on Air Cargo Week.
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Author: Edward Hardy
