By Jennifer Chang      Photo : vanitjan

Except for the small and some selected aircrafts can only use bulk cargo cabin by design, others are utilizing ULDs.  It is to load the goods that need to be loaded into the belly of the aircraft onto the ULD according to certain requirements. For example, heavy cargo is placed on the bottom of a pallet or container, and bulk cargo is placed on top of the heavy cargo. The pallet  divided into upper, main and lower specifications. Each pallet and container has its own volume and weight restrictions. The ground loading service provider loads the cargo onto these ULDs as required, then covers the net or closes the container door.　After that, the operator marks the pallet and container number on the stowage list according to the weight balance of their. According to this list, the ground service provider loads the build-up of the unit load device  into the designated positions in the aircraft cabin in sequence.

If the freight forwarder can build up ULD by themselves, they sign a full-ULD agreement with airline and also settle airfreight rate with airline according to ULD. In this way, you can decide how to build up ULD according to the weight and volume of the goods, which can maximize the benefits and obtain the largest profit margins. Of course, the weight, packaging, packaging size and marking of the goods should comply with the relevant regulations of each airline. The goods must not endanger the safety of aircraft, personnel and property.

The ULD is used for special loading received from the airline, and each has its own number, so as to check the situation of the goods loaded on it, which is the same as the concept of ocean container. The naming rule of ULD is generally in the form of "three English letters + a string of digits + the two-character code of the airline". Example: PMC12345678LH. This represents a PMC  from Lufthansa, the number of the pallet is 12345678. The first letter of the three English letters of the first code in the ULD name represents the type of ULD. For example: P, which stands for pallet, is a base plate that is open on all sides. For example: PAJ, PLA, PLF, etc. A, represents a box similar to a container. For example: AKE, AKH, AMF, etc. The second letter represents the floor area of the ULD. For example: M, representing 244x318cm A, representing the third letter of 223x318cm, representing the plate type of ULD. For example: C, which means you can make a C2  and a Q7, The build-up of the ULD is crucial to its integrity. The operators must make sure it is the proper size, type, without damage, and structurally suitable for shipping as well as clean. When loading the goods onto the aircraft ULD, they should be interlocked, less likely to shift in transit. If this is not possible, then the load should be properly held in place with ropes or straps underneath the pallet nets.

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