Aircraft / Air freight containers or ULDs (Unit Loading Devices) vary in capacity from AKE with an internal volume of 4.3cbm up to AMA with an internal volume of 17.5cbm capable of taking 1,588kg and 6,804kg respectively.

Air freight containers are designed to make maximum use of space on the aircraft and are shaped to fit the contours of the hold. The aircraft type itself dictates the containers which can be used and loading is by an approved agent or airline ground-handling staff. In addition to air freight containers certain passenger and freighter flights utilise airline pallets, the largest being the PGA type capable of taking weights up to 11,340kg on freighter aircraft only.

Ultimately some out-of-gauge cargo may not fit any air freight container or pallet and will be loaded on a flight loose, a good example being the Aston Martin cars we were hired to move to Dubai!.

More Air Freight Information

Besides the cargo’s measurements, the loading of the shipping containers should also take the weight into consideration. It is important to note that in many countries the permissible weight limits for road and rail transportation are lower than the maximum payload a shipping container can afford.

Palletisation is widely applied in some countries to increase cargo handling efficiency. When pallets are used it is important to observe that:

• There are two major pallet types – Europallet (European Pallet / Euro Pallet) and Standard Pallet Sizes.

Shipping container standard pallet size & european / euro pallet size capacities.

A 20’ shipping container can hold 28 – 30cbm or 980 – 1,060cu.ft. A 40’ shipping container can hold approximately 56 – 60cbm or 1,980 – 2,110cu.ft. The loading internal capacity of a container depends not only on the dimensions of the carton boxes but also on many other factors such as the packaging material and the competence and experience of the loading personnel.

As well as the cargo’s measurements, the loading of the shipping containers should also take the weight into consideration. It is important to note that in many countries the permissible weight limits for road and rail transportation are lower than the maximum payload a shipping container can afford.

Palletisation is widely applied in some countries to increase cargo handling efficiency. When pallets are used it is important to observe that:

• There are two major pallets – European / Euro Pallet and Standard Pallet Sizes.

There are two major pallet types – Europallet (European Pallet / Euro Pallet) and Standard Pallet Sizes.

Your comprehensive guide to converting everything from Volume to Velocity.

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