SAS Cargo has extended a contract with Unilode Aviation Solutions for unit load device (ULD) management and repair services for a further five years.

The partnership between the two companies has been in place since 2011, and will now run until 2026.

The renewed agreement will see Unilode supply containers and pallets from its pooled ULD fleet and continue to provide maintenance and repair services at SAS Cargo’s hub in Copenhagen and other stations in Unilode’s global MRO network.

SAS Cargo will use Unilode’s digital ULD track & trace solutions, and trial the ‘Connect’ service package that includes provision of temperature, humidity, shock and light data and alerts.

“Unilode’s pooled fleet significantly increases month-to-month ULD flexibility, enabling us to pay only for the ULDs we need, which is critically important in volatile market situations and during a pandemic,” said SAS Cargo Group president and CEO Max Knagge.

“We have built a strong relationship with Unilode over the years. This will also help us reduce our ULD-related spend. In the years ahead we see great opportunity for growth and continued success through our partnership with Unilode.”

Unilode’s managing director ULD solutions Babak Yazdani commented: “We are proud to have been a long-term trusted partner for SAS Cargo in the past 10 years. This is the second renewal of our ULD management agreement, which is a testament to the mutually beneficial collaborative relationships we build with our customers.

“We are committed to further strengthening our partnership and supporting SAS Cargo’s business with innovative solutions that enable them to identify new revenue streams. SAS Cargo has a strong sustainability agenda to reduce carbon emissions and we are pleased Unilode’s sustainable pooling model contributes to their efforts.”