The primary objectives of the ULDP include:
- Development and maintenance of standards, recommended practices and guidelines concerning the:
- Manufacture, certification, identification, control, handling and maintenance of Unit Load Devices (ULDs)
- Interlining capability of ULDs
- Maintaining the IATA ULD Technical Manual (UTM) in an up-to-date state
- Proactive input to, monitoring of and professional response to developments in:
- Regulatory requirements
- Aircraft containerization requirements
- Industry advances in materials, designs and processes related to ULDs
- Industry Safety and Operational parameters
Panel's initiatives and plans
Initiatives in process
- The mandate from the IATA World Cargo Symposium 2009 to:
- Create a ULD Care Charter and start introducing this to industry
Interaction and increased involvement in airport activities related to ULDs – ISAGO audit protocols re ULD content, and Airport Authority’s guidelines on basic ULD infrastructure
- Reassess the ULD content of the Standard Ground Handling Agreement
- Reformat and enhance the UTM
- Overhaul the ULD Type Codes – structure and control of the Codes
Future plans
- ULD Technical Manual in electronic format
- Develop damage limitations for non-certified ULDs
- Obtain outstanding aircraft contours for inclusion in UTM
- Develop container handling guidelines
Meetings
The ULDP generally meets at least once per year in conjunction with SAE AGE 2/2A – usually the fall meeting.
Membership
The ULDP consists of up to 12 Members appointed by the Cargo Services Conference (CSC), each being an expert in the ULD Technical area.
The current ULDP Chairman is Mr. Urs Wiesendanger (Air Canada) and the current vice-chairman is Mr. Frits Roukens (KLM).
Contact
- ULDP Secretary
LIAO, Zhi Yong
Manager, Business Process & Standards, IATA
ULD Operations Task Force (ULDTF)
In order to raise the awareness of ULDs in the supply chain and provide industry best practices on proper ULD loading and handling standards to achieve safe, secure, and efficient cargo and baggage transportation, the IATA ULD Panel (ULDP) established the ULD Operations Task Force (ULDTF) consisting of ULD operational experts throughout the supply chain.
The ULDTF Terms of Reference (pdf) contains information on the objectives of the Task Force, its composition as well as roles and responsibilities.
Industry Affiliations
The registered Suppliers that are members of the IATA Strategic Partnership Program also participate in the meetings, bringing valuable technical input.
The ULDP secretariat provides input and updates for various other IATA groups and publications such as ISAGO, AHM and TACT
The ULDP is also represented at:
- SAE International – Aerospace Council (SAE AGE 2 / 2A)
- ISO – TC20 SC9
- IATA World Cargo Symposium – ULD Track