DHL Express deploys 30,000 SmartULDs

• AviusULD has partnered with DHL Express to deploy 30,000 SmartULD devices globally – the largest rollout of energy-harvesting ULD tracking technology in air freight.
• The SmartULD system provides real-time, infrastructure-free visibility, improving ULD use, safety and sustainability through LTE, GNSS and Wi-Fi connectivity.
• The agreement includes advanced fire and occupancy tagging, marking a major step in DHL’s digital freight transformation and data-driven asset management strategy.

AviusULD has announced a strategic agreement with DHL Express to deploy 30,000 SmartULD devices in the first phase of the global rollout. This initiative represents the largest application of ULD tracking technology for energy harvesting in the air cargo sector to date.

Built on an innovative energy-harvesting design, AviusULD SmartULD technology enables ULDs to be tracked without infrastructure with real-time data on location, movement and safety conditions – without the need for airport-mounted readers or battery replacements. By leveraging LTE connectivity, GNSS assistance and internal Wi-Fi positioning, DHL Express will gain seamless visibility across its global network.

Expected result: improved ULD utilization, reduced repositioning movements, and reduced damage and losses – while improving safety, efficiency and sustainability.

Charles Drummond, CEO of AviusULD, commented: “This is a landmark moment not only for AviusULD, but for the entire ULD industry. DHL Express is sending a clear signal with its investment in infrastructure-free visibility, fire detection and occupancy sensing at scale.”

“We are pleased to support their leadership in transforming digital shipping and look forward to extending these benefits across their global network.”

Frank Steinert, Senior Director, Global Network Equipment at DHL Express, commented: “DHL Express is the world leader in international express shipping. Our motto is excellence delivered simply and this sets a high bar for all the technologies that support our operations. AviusULD SmartULD with its energy harvesting capability is truly advanced technology and we have been directly involved in the product development.”

“SmartULD devices will help us make improvements in operational efficiency, sustainability and safety, and we expect to expand and extend this program to all reusable air cargo equipment soon.”

In addition to the basic SmartULD tracking tags, the collaboration includes capabilities for Fire Tag, which detects off-gassing from lithium-ion batteries before runaway thermal events, and Occupancy Tags, which use sensors to confirm whether containers are empty or loaded – helping to avoid lost cargo and unnecessary emissions.

This agreement builds on the growing trend towards data-driven asset management in air cargo, as operators seek to reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) while improving safety and ESG performance. AviusULD’s SmartULD range addresses these goals directly, offering:

• Real-time location tracking via LTE and GNSS/Wi-Fi
• No infrastructure deployment – ​​no readers, towers or gateways
• Energy harvesting power supply – no need to replace the battery
• Fire detection to mitigate lithium ion risks
• Monitor occupancy to prevent misplacement of an empty or full ULD
• Interoperability with existing BLE fleets and legacy tracking systems

This first milestone marks the beginning of a long-term relationship with further phases of the rollout of AviusULD SmartULD tracking technology to be announced in due course.