Unit Load Device Global Market Report 2024

The unit load device market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.14 billion in 2023 to $2.28 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%. The growth observed in the historical period can be linked to several factors, including the expansion of air cargo services, the establishment of standardized practices in air freight operations, the transition towards containerized cargo transport, advancements in materials and technologies used in air transportation, and the implementation of regulatory guidelines within the industry.

The unit load device market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.83 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%. The projected growth in the upcoming period is expected due to the increased adoption of lightweight materials, emphasis on sustainable solutions, tailored customization for specific cargo requirements, innovations in ULD (Unit Load Device) tracking systems, and the reinforcement of global supply chain resilience. Key trends foreseen in this period encompass the development of ULDs designed for temperature-sensitive cargo, dynamic ULD management systems, adaptive ULD designs specifically tailored for e-commerce logistics, utilization of ULDs for remote and unmanned cargo operations, and optimizing ULD usage by efficiently utilizing available space.

The growth of the unit load device (ULD) market is anticipated to be driven by an increasing number of air travelers. Air travelers, individuals utilizing airplanes for transportation, whether for business or leisure, contribute to a rise in demand for luggage and cargo shipments. As evidenced in March 2022 by the International Air Transport Organization, a Canada-based global trade organization for airlines, total traveler numbers are expected to approach pre-COVID-19 levels by 2024. Notably, global air traffic exhibited a substantial 55.5% increase in April 2023 compared to 2022, with domestic travel experiencing a 25.2% surge. This surge in air travel is poised to fuel the demand for unit load devices (ULDs), highlighting their integral role in the efficient handling of luggage and cargo associated with the expanding air travel landscape.

The expansion of the e-commerce industry is identified as a key factor propelling the growth of the unit load device market. E-commerce, the electronic buying and selling of goods and services, relies on efficient logistics to handle the increasing volume of parcels and packages. ULDs, encompassing containers and pallets, play a crucial role in organizing, securing, and optimizing the loading process for air transportation. A case in point is the substantial increase in U.S. e-commerce sales reported by the United States Department of Commerce in May 2021, indicating a notable surge of 39.0% in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. The dynamic and growing e-commerce industry's reliance on streamlined logistics and timely delivery is a driving force behind the unit load device market's growth, emphasizing their significance in the evolving landscape of modern commerce.

The unit load devices (ULD) market is witnessing a prominent trend characterized by the growing popularity of strategic partnerships. Many companies within the ULD market are actively seeking partnerships as a strategic approach to fortify their positions. An illustrative example is the partnership between Etihad Cargo, the UAE-based cargo business of Etihad Aviation Group, and Jettainer GmbH, a Germany-based logistic service provider. In June 2022, Etihad Cargo was awarded a five-year contract from Jettainer for the continued supply and handling of ULDs. Taking the partnership a step further, Jettainer is integrating Bluetooth low energy (BLE) tags throughout Etihad Cargo's entire ULD fleet, showcasing a commitment to innovation and efficiency in ULD management.

A significant strategy employed by major companies operating in the ULD market involves the development of new products, specifically automated baggage unloaders, to gain a competitive edge. Automated baggage unloaders are specialized systems designed for the mechanized and efficient unloading of baggage and cargo from ULDs at airports. Siemens AG, a Germany-based automation company, exemplifies this trend with the launch of VarioTip in March 2022. VarioTip, equipped with a powerful tilting mechanism, can efficiently unload up to 20 ULDs, equivalent to approximately 800 items of baggage, per hour in the arrivals and transfer zone. This innovation offers airports a substantial increase in baggage throughput, reduced manual intervention, and improved ground handling ergonomics. Furthermore, VarioTip's adaptability to various sizes of ULDs, including AKE, AKH, and DPE, enhances its versatility, making it an ideal solution for diverse airport operations and contributing to the overall competitiveness of companies in the ULD market.

In November 2022, Astral Aviation Ltd., a Kenya-based cargo carrier, established a strategic partnership with ACL Airshop LLC to enhance its air cargo logistics and unit load device (ULD) management. Through this collaboration, Astral Aviation aims to optimize its ULD fleet efficiency by integrating ULD Control, a real-time tracking solution. Leveraging ACL's global operations center and the innovative FindMyULD mobile App, the partnership intends to elevate usage rates and cost-effectiveness for clients utilizing ACL's digital suite in the aviation industry. ACL Airshop LLC, headquartered in Canada, specializes in providing ULDs, cargo control solutions, and logistics services to the aviation sector.

Major companies operating in the unit load device market report are DSV A/S, Safran S.A., Zodiac Aerospace, Sonoco Products Company, Brambles Group, TransDigm Group Incorporated,Röhlig Logistics, Teijin Aramid B.V, Bastian Solutions, The Descartes Systems Group Inc., AirBridge Cargo, ANA Cargo, Unilode Aviation Solutions, Unilode Aviation Solutions, Envirotainer AB, SAE International, CSafe Global, Satco Inc., ACL Airshop, Nordisk Aviation Products AS, Nippon Cargo Airlines, Cargo Composites, VRR Aviation, Palnet GmbH Air Cargo Products,DoKaSch GmbH, Aerotranscargo, AEROTUF, Qantas Freight, Astracon LLC, WTC Logistics.

North America was the largest region in the unit load device market in 2023. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the unit load device market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the unit load device market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The primary types of Unit Load Devices (ULDs) include Lower Deck (LD) 3 containers, Lower Deck (LD) 6 containers, Lower Deck (LD) 11 containers, M1 containers, pallets, and others. An LD3 container features a half-width bottom deck and a single angled side, serving as a commonly used ULD container that is compatible with both widebody and smaller aircraft. These containers come in various designs such as standard, cold-storage, and other specialized configurations. They are constructed using diverse materials such as composites, metals, and others, and find applications in civil and cargo air transportation, among others.

The unit load device market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides unit load device market statistics, including unit load device industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a unit load device market share, detailed unit load device market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the unit load device industry. This unit-load device market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The unit load devices market consists of sales of containers and palettes. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).


The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.