Swissport, a major air ground services and air cargo handler, is equipping its cargo warehouses with Bluetooth readers supplied by Unilode and Descartes to track and monitor Unit Load Devices (ULD)—containers for baggage and cargo. The cargo handling division will equip its 115 cargo warehouses with tracking sensors during 2020.
According to the company, the technology will increase transparency for Swissport customers using digitally tagged ULD. Geolocation of ULD enables real-time tracking and inventory control, enabling airlines and freight companies to plan the distribution of their vast ULD fleets more efficiently and cost effectively.
“Our cooperation with Unilode and Descartes and the introduction of global ULD tracking at our cargo warehouses create added value for our customers and drive the digital transformation of the cargo supply chain and the industry," said Hendrik Leyssens, Swissport’s Vice President Global Operations – Cargo, in a statement.
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Swissport is presently expanding its cargo facilities in Frankfurt, Germany, and Melbourne, Australia, both due to open in the third quarter of 2020. Further locations in Australia will be announced soon.
The company has also implemented self-service cargo kiosks which enable truck-drivers to skip counter queues and manual paperwork processing. The kiosks help speed up the delivery of time-critical shipments, benefiting Swissport and its customers alike.
Last year, Swissport handled 265 million airline passengers and 4.6 million tons of air freight in 115 cargo warehouses worldwide. Several of its warehouses have been certified for pharmaceutical logistics by IATA’s CEIV.