ULD CARE launches its first newsletter

The board of ULD CARE is delighted to bring to our members the first edition of the ULD CARE Newsletter.

The board of ULD CARE is delighted to bring to our members the first edition of the ULD CARE Newsletter. Combined with the recent launch of the totally new ULD CARE website, this newsletter has as a primary purpose: the development and improved awareness of ULD related issues in the aviation industry – a role that was much discussed at the last ULD CARE Annual Conference.  It is our intention to issue this newsletter on at least a bi-monthly basis. Each issue will provide our readers with relevant and useful material that will enable them to carry out their ULD related functions with greater knowledge and understanding than they may have today.

The launch of the newsletter and website comes at a time of significant ULD related activity. January 2013 saw the publication of the first edition of the IATA ULD Regulations. Over the coming editions of this newsletter we will be highlighting different sections of this important publication. ULD CARE applauds this initiative by IATA and will be using its  resources to encourage the rapid and widespread adoption of the IATA ULD Regulations

Please see the “CARE / Regulations” section of the ULD CARE website for two more articles on this critical area of ULD management.

With safety foremost in our minds, we need to pay attention to the US National Transportation Safety Bureau (NTSB) Safety Recommendation, issued last November, relating to “Cargo Fires on Cargo Aircraft” (http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/recletters/2012/a-12-068-070.pdf).  While it is too early to say what specific impact these recommendations may have on ULD operations it is safe to expect some kind of regulatory impact on ULD operations will result from this report.

In addition to these headline events there are also continuing activities at the various technical committees and at the aviation authorities.  All of this activity adds up to there being a great deal going on in the world of ULD and a great deal of material for any person involved in ULD to be aware of.  We believe the ULD CARE Newsletter can be a reliable source of information on anything to do with ULD for all our readers.

The “CARE / Education” section of the ULD CARE website launches with an excellent overview of ULD management within IATA.

ULD CARE is also making a major effort to engage the ground handling industry by holding, for the first time, the annual ULD CARE conference alongside the annual IATA Ground Handling Council (IGHC) meeting, held this year from May 7^th to 9^th in Vancouver. The IGHC organizers have offered ULD CARE two slots on their agenda.  And some speakers at IGHC will also be speaking at the ULD CARE conference as well.  Details of the annual ULD CARE meeting have been sent to our members. This will be a great opportunity to participate in a wide range of ULD related discussions and to create greater awareness of the importance of correct ULD operations to the ground handling community. The highlights of the ULD CARE Vancouver conference and agenda follow. We hope to see you there!

ULD CARE, Vancouver, May 6^th to 9^th, 2013

ULD CARE Vancouver 2013 Agenda

Meanwhile, behind the scenes at ULD CARE there has been progress on various projects in addition to this newsletter and the website.

The Electronic LUC message working group, under the leadership of Chep’s Charles Drummond, has made very considerable progress towards the establishment of a suitable format for LUC messages for transmission not only by airlines but by any party transferring a ULD.  It is expected that this new format will be published in the 2^nd edition of the IATA ULD Regulations.

One requirement of the ULD Regulations is that all ULD transfers be reported and the creation of this standard is of considerable importance in order to allow the development of electronic messaging systems – including smart phone apps.  Congratulations to Charles and his team for all of their efforts.

Another group is focused on improving cooperation with the PRC in ULD matters.  Angel Cheung of Das Nordisk has agreed to lead this initiative and work is starting in this direction.  China plays such a major part in global trade and global airfreight activities, ULD CARE wishes to do whatever it can to foster common best operating practices in China.  This working group can put us on this path.

The important contribution of ULD management to air cargo operations, and to airline management generally has, unfortunately, long been under-recognized by the industry.  The result is unsatisfactorily high levels of ULD damage and poor compliance with airworthiness requirements.  For ULD CARE to make a difference we need you, our members, to get involved.  One way to do this is to circulate our newsletter as widely as possible.  Please pass this first edition on to anyone you believe may have even a small interest in ULD management, whether at an airline or at any sector of the air cargo industry.  By building a large audience, we can help improve the state of ULD management knowledge throughout the aviation industry.