Inflatable ULD launched at WCS 2019
11 / 03 / 2019
VRR will present the concept model of its inflatable AKE container concept at World Cargo Symposium in Singapore today (Tuesday).
The Dutch aviation engineering and manufacturing company says the product, named Air5, is the first ever inflatable solution for ULDs (Unit Load Devices) on the market and could help reduce costs on the 20% of the world’s trade lanes which are unbalanced.
The inflatable AKE container, which can be seen at Booth E4 at WCS, weighs approximately 68kg (150 lbs), folds out automatically and takes shape in just 30 seconds using air pressure.
To collapse the container, air is released, which takes just two people and two minutes.
The folded container can be stacked five high on the lower deck of regular wide-body aircraft, which makes it an easy and cost-effective ULD to return, store or relocate, says Geert van Riemsdijk, VRR managing director.
“Current alternatives like disassembling or return by sea freight are expensive and/or time consuming. We believe this way of working will become a thing of the past when our customers start using our inflatable AKE containers in their container fleet.”
VRR says Air5 is extremely resilient and no concessions have been made with regard to the structure’s weight, robustness, strength or safety.
VRR expects to have the final certified version of its inflatable AKE container available by Q1 2020, and to start series production later the same year.
