Airfreight plays a crucial role in the global flower industry, ensuring that delicate blooms reach their destinations fresh and undamaged. Despite the significant logistics challenges involved in transporting flowers, there are no dedicated Unit Load Devices (ULDs) designed explicitly for this cargo type, unlike the specialized temperature-controlled containers used for pharmaceutical products. But why is this the case, and how does the industry ensure the safe and efficient transport of flowers without customized ULD solutions? Pharmaceuticals, particularly vaccines and biologics, require strict temperature control and specialized handling.
This necessity has led to the development of advanced cool ULDs equipped with active refrigeration, humidity control, and advanced monitoring systems. In contrast, flowers, while also perishable, generally require ambient temperatures rather than precise cooling, making the use of high-tech ULDs costly and impractical for this cargo segment.
Shailendra Kothari, Managing Director of Jettainer Americas, explains that flowers can be transported in standard ULDs such as PMC and LD3 containers without significant modifications. Some delicate flower varieties may benefit from temperature-controlled ULDs, but these are expensive and not widely available, requiring prior arrangements. The cost of these high-tech containers often outweighs the benefits when transporting flowers, making airlines and logistics providers opt for optimized handling techniques rather than investing in specialized ULDs.
Read more at Air Cargo Week