ABC expands its track-and-trace offerings with Unilode

Specialty cargo carrier AirBridgeCargo (ABC), a subsidiary airline of the Volga-Dnepr Group, is investing further in its track-and-trace offerings with the extension of its longtime cooperation with Swiss unit load device (ULD) supplier Unilode, in which ABC is upgrading its Bluetooth tracking devices for ULDs, pallets and containers.

The transmitting portable electronic devices (TPEDs) will support Bluetooth low-energy (BLE), version 5.0 units, and are able to gather data on temperature, humidity, illumination and shock, viewable by its customers on ABC’s shipment tracking platform.

“The BLE v.5.0 device is the most cost-effective solution for the transmission of shipment parameters, with its primary benefits being improved speed and greater range,” said Benoît Dumont, CEO of Unilode. “Thus, it operates faster and over greater distances than previous versions of Bluetooth.”

Sergey Lazarev, general director of ABC, said the technology is applicable to a range of industries, especially “pharmaceutical products, oversize and heavy goods, [and] live animals,” and added, “With the penetration of digitalization taking place in the air cargo sector, we want to make sure that our customers get the full benefit of it.”