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Tag: ULD

Automated ULD Storage System at Jordan Airport

Posted on by David Priestman

Aviation Handling Services Jordan Ltd. (AHS) uses state-of-the-art technology from Lödige Industries at its newly developed Cargo Terminal at the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Kingdom of Jordan. As a provider of air cargo terminal solutions, Lödige Industries was contracted to provide the client an automated solution for handling import and export shipments into and out of the Kingdom of Jordan. The project started in February 2022 and was finished in July 2024.

Lödige Industries designed, manufactured and delivered a customised automated storage system with a capacity of 136 Unit Load Devices (ULDs). This includes an Elevating Transfer Vehicle (ETV), the newest in the Kingdom of Jordan, which ensures reliable, fast and efficient storage and retrieval processes. The ETV is guided on rails and transports with its lift the ULDs vertically and horizontally at the same time. A tailor-made conveyor system of powered roller decks is used for efficient and safe transport between different work areas. Here, elevating workstations (EWS) ensure optimised processes during build-up and break-down. Lödige Industries also equipped the terminal with a cargo control system to interface with the client cargo management system as well as additional mobile terminal equipment, including mobile workstations and mobile workstation movers (formerly slave pallets and slave pallet movers).

To ensure smooth operations for AHS/Menzies, Lödige Industries provides maintenance support. The new terminal spans 8,000 square meters, featuring a Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) racking system with 2,400 skid positions, capable of accommodating a diverse range of single shipments and storing pallets of varying sizes and weights. Additionally, approximately 4,000 square meters of space in front of the warehouse airside can be efficiently utilized for GSE and ULD, providing ample room for freighter handling. The handling capacity is expected to increase to 60,000 tons per year. The facility supports the regional operations of AHS/Menzies and Menzies Global Network.

“The fully equipped new freight terminal enables AHS to automate its ULD handling to a large extent and ensures a high throughput of cargo for long-term growth at the Queen Alia International Airport,” says Guy Walker, Managing Director of Lödige Systems Middle East. “As the leading supplier, we were able to meet all of the customer’s requirements ranging from design and production to commissioning and maintenance from a single source.”

“We are pursuing a long-term growth plan and have therefore chosen a reliable and powerful system from Lödige Industries to equip our new cargo terminal,” says Dominique Ceulemans, Managing Director at AHS Jordan. “The high level of automation allows us to handle cargo quickly, efficiently and safely thus achieving the high-quality service we want to offer our customers.”

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ULD Moveability

 

Temperature Solution Firm Opens in UAE

Posted on by David Priestman

DoKaSch Temperature Solutions, a leading provider of temperature-controlled logistics solutions, is pleased to announce the opening of its new depot in United Arab Emirates. This strategic move strengthens the company’s presence in the Middle East and enhances its global network.

The new depot is in Dubai close to Dubai-World Central Airport, strategically placed due to its extensive global connections and immediate access to the networks of major Middle East carriers such as Emirates, operating a hub in Dubai, and Etihad, with a hub in nearby Abu Dhabi. This expansion aligns seamlessly with DoKaSch Temperature Solutions’ growth strategy, expanding global supply chain for pharmaceutical products.

“The establishment of our new station in Dubai is a significant milestone in our growth trajectory and highlights our commitment to enhancing our global network,” stated Andreas Seitz, Managing Director at DoKaSch Temperature Solutions. “Dubai and Abu Dhabi are established hubs, and our new station will play an important role in the global supply chain for pharmaceutical products.”

The pharmaceutical industry in the Middle East has experienced remarkable growth, with the UAE’s pharma market expected to reach a value of 4.7 billion US-Dollars by 2025, according to ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company. With the opening of the Dubai depot, DoKaSch Temperature Solutions strengthens its foothold in the region and globally, ensuring expedited access to the Opticooler®, its high-quality and reliable temperature-controlled packaging solution.

Moreover, the Dubai depot holds strategic importance as a gateway to the Indian subcontinent, a key market for the production of pharmaceuticals, biosimilars, and biotech products. This expansion will increase the company’s ability to serve the growing demands of the pharmaceutical industry in the Middle East and neighbouring regions.

With the new Dubai depot, DoKaSch Temperature Solutions’ is expanding their free deliver global network offering the Opticooler®. This container maintains a consistent internal temperature, even amidst extreme external fluctuations ranging from -30° to +50°C. This feature is particularly crucial for the Dubai market and the surrounding region, given the consistently dry climate throughout the year, with average temperatures ranging between 27 and 45 degrees.

Autonomous Electric Cargo Vehicle Pilot Programme

Posted on by David Priestman

UPS and Aurrigo have announced a collaborative project to deploy Auto-Cargo, an autonomous electric vehicle designed to move heavy cargo loads to and from aircraft at the UPS hub at East Midlands Airport, the UK’s second-largest cargo terminal. The image here is an artistic rendering of Auto-Cargo.

The autonomous electric vehicle has been designed to move heavy cargo loads to and from aircraft at the UPS hub at East Midlands Airport, the UK’s second-largest cargo terminal. The development and piloting of the vehicle will take 14 months and is supported by matched funding from Innovate UK, the UK Government’s innovation agency, and The Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, with almost 500K GBP in funding.

Reduce emissions and increase safety

The vehicle can transport a standard full-size cargo pallet or two half-size aviation industry standard containers or Unit Load Devices (ULD) up to a total load of 7.5 tonnes and is designed to tow a further fully loaded cargo trailer behind it. Its autonomous technology will enable the limited numbers of security-cleared drivers to be freed-up to perform other roles around the airport, while also producing zero tail pipe emissions.

David Keene, Aurrigo CEO said, “this vehicle allows an airfreight operator to help decarbonise and automate its ground operations for lower emissions and greater efficiency. By combining the tractor and trailer into one unit, we save space, which in a busy cargo hub like East Midlands Airport is vital to efficient loading and unloading of aircraft.’’

Matt Nicholson, UPS International Director of Automotive Engineering, commented, “our business is all about delivering parcels efficiently through our global, integrated network. This collaboration will help us do that with increased safety and zero tailpipe emissions, making our airside operation more efficient with a purpose-designed vehicle.’’

Air Shipment Visibility Enhanced by Solution

Posted on by David Priestman

Descartes Systems Group has announced that Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics division of Etihad Airways, has further automated air shipment cargo processes using Descartes’ next generation Internet of Things (IoT) Bluetooth® Low Energy solution, integrated with Jettainer’s unit load device (ULD) management services. The combined solutions expand Etihad Cargo’s ability to improve ground processes at cargo and ULD handling and to gain data-driven insights into the transport and ambient conditions of air cargo in transit.

“At Etihad Cargo, we’re continuing to invest in technology and innovation to make air cargo handling more efficient, smarter and faster, and this includes the usage and management of our ULD fleet” said Thomas Schürmann, Head of Cargo Operations & Delivery at Etihad Cargo. “The addition of Descartes’ next generation IoT devices to our ULD fleet provides true operational value for us. Etihad Cargo expects to reduce the number of lost ULDs – those that lose their trail somewhere at the airport, at the ground handling agent or the forwarder – by being able to tell exactly where they were last seen. We furthermore expect to simplify ground processes, for example, by reducing the time and effort spent on stock take.”

“As part of our premium product, ULD Select, the combination of our sophisticated ULD management solution with Descartes’ next generation IoT devices can be a powerful boost to our service. The technology can provide our valued customers like Etihad Cargo insights into the conditions of their freight, give access to detailed location information, facilitate ULD processing on the ground, and thus further improve asset utilization,” said Ram Krishnaswamy, General Manager Middle East, Africa, & Indian Subcontinent at Jettainer. “Jettainer embraces innovation and digitalization, and this is exactly what we experience with Descartes as the leading technical provider in the field of Bluetooth® Low Energy tracking solutions. Potential benefits are not limited to ULD processing, we also see value in streamlining export, transit and import cargo processes and will explore this further with our customers and partners.

Descartes’ next generation IoT Bluetooth® Low Energy ULD tracking uses Bluetooth® tags affixed to containers or pallets, mobile applications and mesh networks to automate end-to-end tracking of assets. Bluetooth® tags affixed to ULDs prior to loading enable easy access to real-time location information, shipment-level condition data, such as temperature, light, humidity and movement, and chain of custody detail that indicates whose custody assets are in at any given time. Tags can also be added to any ground service equipment, like dollies, for full control over a carrier’s equipment.

“We’re pleased to help Etihad Cargo optimize the use of its ULD fleet with richer visibility at both the asset and shipment level,” said Scott Sangster, General Manager, Logistics Service Providers at Descartes. “ULDs are the backbone of the air cargo supply chain and, with coverage in over 1,300 reader locations and 200 airports worldwide, Descartes’ innovations in IoT-based tracking and advanced network capabilities are helping airlines access the status of their ULDs anytime, anywhere—through any internet-enabled device.”

Air Horse Stall ULD Delivered

Posted on by David Priestman

Jettainer and VRR, the leading provider of ULD devices, are celebrating their long-standing collaboration with the 100th air horse stall. The global leader of ULD management, Jettainer, which handles approximately 100,000 ULDs in 500 locations around the world, is constantly refining its service and product portfolio to meet the specific needs of its customers. Its collaboration with ULD manufacturer VRR since 2010 has played an important role in this successful approach.

“We feel very proud that Jettainer is still coming to VRR for its containers after more than a decade of doing business,” says Ben Lakerveld, Sales Manager of VRR. “They deliver top-of-the-line services so we have to deliver top-of-the-line containers. To do so, we also have to keep listening and innovating.”

Until 2019, Jettainer bought mainly HMJ stalls from VRR. It then switched to the collapsible version, which can be folded for lower-deck transportation on return flights. Most of their horse stalls are leased to their parent company, Lufthansa Cargo AG, which provides individualised transportation for Live Animals.

“Every year, our customers fly a four-digit number of horses to all corners of the world,” says Marcus Bezold, Head of Global Handling Performance Management at Lufthansa Cargo AG. “We appreciate Jettainer and VRR’s horse container solutions because they guarantee comfortable travel with minimum stress and maximum safety.”

The designs of VRR’s air horse stalls rely heavily on input from equine transporters, and Lufthansa Cargo AG is one of those important collaborators. The airline’s experience in transporting horses by air has helped VRR greatly over the years to engineer quality and innovative containers like the HMR and HML.

“The collaboration with VRR is exceptional and their products meet latest standards. What we like about the collapsible horse stall,” explains Frank Mühlenkamp, Director Global Operations at Jettainer, “is that it cuts down the cost of empty ULD repositioning without compromising the well-being of the horses. It really helps us and our customers maximise fleet utilisation.”

With approximately 100,000 Unit Load Devices (ULDs) in 500 locations worldwide, the global leader Jettainer operates the world`s most efficient ULD fleet.

Through its unique combination of dedicated teams and leading IT landscape, using big data and artificial intelligence, the industry expert guarantees steering and positioning as well as maintenance and repair with 100% availability of containers and pallets. A strong partner and independent repair network, close to the customer’s processes, completes Jettainer’s global setup with local presence. Meaningful innovation and digitization for highest efficiency at lowest cost are key for the transparency driver. Its continuously enhanced service and product portfolio is complemented with ULD leasing services, cool management and temperature chain solutions.

Jettainer GmbH is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lufthansa Cargo AG.

Singapore Cargo Warehouse Modernisation Project

Posted on by David Priestman

Lödige Industries, a leading global provider of cargo terminal solutions, has announced that it has been selected by dnata Singapore Pte Ltd to modernise and upgrade its cargo warehouse at Changi Airport. Designed to handle an annual turnover of 550,000 tonnes, the facility will incorporate new advanced ULD handling equipment and control technology, replacing and enhancing existing warehouse fittings.

“Our company continuously strives to make investments that enable us to offer enhanced services to our customers,” says Sam Gould, dnata Singapore’s Head of Cargo. “The new ULD handling equipment seamlessly integrates with our existing procedures and helps ensure the safety of our staff as well as the cargo they handle.”

The project, which Lödige Industries will deliver by May 2021, includes replacing existing equipment with a modern turntable transfer vehicle, control system hardware and software, and slave pallet movers for flexible cargo handling. The equipment is designed to enhance the warehouse’s ability to handle peaks and extend the terminal lifespan by 15 to 20 years while reducing costs by minimising ULD damage.

Ranga Jayaweera, General Manager (Singapore) for Lödige Industries, points out: “Installing the new equipment (within just four weeks) while cargo operations continue, requires careful project planning and management to minimise the impact on dnata and its customers. We incorporated a practical and cost-efficient component redundancy in the project, which will reduce impact during construction, handle peaks and avoid unplanned downtime in the future.”

The introduction of slave pallet movers to the warehouse adds a versatile and highly maneuverable cargo handling tool that allows for safe and efficient build-up and breakdown activities anywhere in the warehouse.

ULD Moveability

Posted on by David Priestman

This case study reveals how a loading solutions specialist solved a problem for an air cargo ULD handler, writes Paul Hamblin.

Joloda Hydraroll is all about creating loading solutions that solve its clients’ problems. That’s why, when the UK-based firm was approached by Bonded Services to help make their loading safer and more efficient, it knew it had the right team for the job. Operating out of Rozenburg, located in Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, Bonded Services is described as a ‘gateway to Europe for e-commerce logistics’. Specifically, their list of services include airport handling, customs clearance, and fulfilment to more than 550 million customers for direct and online marketplaces.

Challenge

Bonded Services were looking for a partner that could help handle and transport the increased number of air cargo ULDs that were coming into their warehouse. At the time, the team would use a
series of forklift trucks and straps to unload ULDs, before sweeping across the floor and throughout the building. Bonded Services were looking for a system that was safer, easier and more
efficient than the one that they were currently using. They needed the ability to load and unload ULDs from both standard and mega trailers, move them sideways to work on full pallets, and
have the space to break them down. As the warehouse was rented, they also wanted a solution that didn’t require any adjustments to the building.

Solution

Working alongside the team, Joloda Hydraroll experts quickly assessed the situation and came up with a problem-solving loading solution: Modular Roller Bed – Warehousing With Modular Roller Bed, workers are able to manually push ULDs over a rollertrack floor. Workers have full control over the horizontally moved ULD pallets, with no need for a fork lifter. It’s safer, and more efficient for the team. This meant minimal adjustments to the building, too. The modular roller bed 80mm height floor is simply placed on top of the concrete floor and fixed with screws, and has the option to be easily removed at a later date. Alongside this, Joloda Hydraroll also supplied wheel ramps, which were mounted outside of the building to make sure that both standard and mega trailers could reach the floor of the loading bay. What’s more, Joloda Hydraroll’s modular roller bed system can readily incorporate an MK15 balljoint rollertrack – making ULDs easily
moveable in all directions with minimum effort.

Outcome

After the modular roller bed system was introduced, Bonded Services were able to handle ULDs in a way that worked for them. The team were able to easily move pallets from the truck and into the building, and transport them to their destination. The need for forklift trucks was eliminated, improving the safety of the workers and allowing them to do their jobs more efficiently than before.
“It is a great step forward for Bonded Services in our capacity of handling large volumes on any type of ULD in our AMS Schiphol site, a great piece of engineering and service from our partners, Joloda Hydraroll,” says Mr.V.Groenewold, Manager Operations Bonded Services.

In addition to supplying modular rollerbed systems into air cargo handling warehouses, Joloda Hydraroll is lightening loads for air cargo and block pallet transporters. Flexible rollerbed systems can be retrofitted into any trailer and the system within a day, and can be removed and reinstalled into new vehicles if and when your fleet is renewed. Offering more than 25% reduction in loading times, these systems reduce the need for forklifts to make the loading environment safer. They also eliminate the chance of damaging the vehicle during loading and unloading, saving on reparation costs too. Read the whole story here.

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