Realog Consulting Apply For A Patent For A Greener Light-Weight Cargo Handling Process At Airports
Online, August 8, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Realog Consulting Apply for a Patent for a Greener Light-Weight Cargo Handling Process at Airports
Baden-Baden, Germany - Oliver Schaaf, CEO of the Realog group, recently applied for a Patent for a greener light-weight cargo handling process at airports based on a study conducted by Realog Consulting. The study comparing Logistics Material Handling Systems managing up to 3.5 ton loads per pallet and present Air Cargo Storage Systems designed for 6.8 tons reveals substantial saving and efficiency potential for air cargo storage construction and operation as around 97% of all air cargo pallets transported weigh less than 3.5 tons.
Based on the new pending patent, Realog Consulting have started to develop and specify a new generation of cargo handling and storage equipment systems with 3.5 ton configuration based on a technology composition of, logistics materials handling systems, automated car parking components and cargo equipment.
Oliver Schaaf, CEO of the Realog group, posits that "A new generation of Air Cargo Terminals can be up to 30% more cost efficient with less Investment required for the lighter construction structures and reduced energy consumption when handling the lighter loads that make the bulk of shipments.
Traditional Industry
Air Cargo Terminal technology has not changed for over 20 years. Design and mechanical layouts are based IATA's commonly accepted maximum ULD (Unit Load Device) loads of 6.8 tons. This convention is necessary for carrier load assessments, but does it have to form the basis for cargo storage and equipment system design on the ground?
The fact is that the majority of ULDs weigh between 1.5 and 2 tons, as a mix of Lower Deck and Main Deck loads. The common Main Deck pallet has a density factor of 1:6 - that is 6m³ per each ton, or 3 tons maximum at a volume of 18m³. In practice less than 3% of all ULDs transported weigh more than 3.5 tons. Exceptional loads of more than 3.5 tons, typically heavy machinery or perishable goods (like melons), can be handled with standardized special "Heavy ULD" equipment.
Oliver Schaaf explains: "The majority of cargo weighing up to 3.5 tons could be handled with much lighter fixed and mobile equipment and stored in much lighter structures. Savings can be realized by using lighter structures of modern lightweight materials. Hoists, forwarding plant machinery and equipment can also be much lighter by as much as 50% compared to today's units in use. Savings of up to 20% of the structures and mechanical equipment are feasible. These account for 40% of the general cost of Cargo Terminals"
What are the reasons for the lack of Cargo Handling System Development?
Cargo Storage Systems are supplied worldwide by only 5 manufacturers. Many more suppliers compete in the field of storage systems for pallet weights of up to 2.5 tons. These suppliers are traditionally locked out of the air cargo market by the 6.8 ton hurdle - AN UNNECESSARY HURDLE. This situation limits competition, hinders innovation and freezes a high cost situation for the Air Cargo Industry.
The clients, Cargo Handling companies, Airlines and Airports cannot push innovation as they have no expertise in heavy equipment manufacturing. The manufacturers on the other side lack the special knowledge of air cargo handling processes. As a result, Suppliers offer their systems based on their own well engineered heavy construction principles.
The excessively high costs are then borne by the Airlines, Airports and Cargo Handling Operators who have to cope with high investment, operation, energy and maintenance costs that are transferred in turn to the supply chain through increased carriage costs.
Realog's Technology Convergence Alternative
Barry Zigner, a long term specialist in air cargo terminal operations believes that "Air Cargo Terminals should be designed by experienced, international engineering consultants who possess intimate knowledge of Cargo Ground Handling operations as well as the wider Cargo handling and Storage industry. As such they will be in a position to analyze and propose better planning and cost factors for modular Cargo handling/Storage systems based on freight indices, KPIs and operation/maintenance figures."
Concept design and the specification of air cargo facilities (including equipment) must take into account the Terminal and Operations programs and in line with environmentally friendly solutions, limit the majority of structures and equipment at 3.5 ton unit weight. Software will be designed to separate 3.5 tons pallets from special "Heavy Pallets". International tendering procedures could then include competitors from general logistics and storage systems which will yield new efficient solutions and lower costs due to increased competition.
Oliver Schaaf concludes "By adopting our greener light-weight cargo handling process, the operators of Air Cargo Terminals and the Air Cargo Industry as a whole will be the big winners."
Realog Consulting established in 2003, with offices in Germany, Dubai and Canada has advanced to become one of the leading worldwide Consultants for Cargo Terminals, automated storages and for Robot Parking Systems of more than 1000 Parking spaces. Realog had been engaged to design and supervise Emirates Airlines' Cargo Mega Terminal and the Flower Centre in Dubai, Cargo Terminals in Abu Dhabi and Oman, and the Dubai World Central Airport with a Capacity of 12 Million tons per year.
Press Contacts:
Oliver Schaaf
Chief Executive Officer
Realog Consulting GmbH
oliver.schaaf@realog.com
Tel: +49 7221 9707666
www.realog.com