The International Air Transport Association has launched a safety and awareness campaign in its effort to reduce incidents involving the handling of unit load devices.

According to IATA, the campaign hopes to save the cargo industry approximately US$264 million every year by promoting awareness of the correct handling of ULDs.

“The number-one cause of aircraft damage from ground-handling equipment is from mishandled ULDs,” said Glyn Hughes, global head of cargo at IATA. “In addition to the high costs involved in repairing damage to aircraft, maintenance to ULDs also incurs significant costs. Last year the industry’s ULD repair bill was US$3 million, however it is estimated that 80% of these costs could be saved through correct handling.”

The campaign, consisting of a series of different pictures, was announced at IATA’s World Cargo Symposium in Berlin and is targeted at players and stakeholders at every level of the ULD value chain. It will be spread across the industry throughout 2016 together with IATA’s ULD Regulations. Images and more information can be found on the IATA website.

There are approximately 900,000 ULDs in service around the world, according to IATA.