Cathay Pacific will be the world’s first airline to introduce ‘blockchain management’ in its Unit Load Devices (ULDs). Following a successful trial last year , it is now introducing a system that will make locating, allocating and transferring load devices between forwarders, the airline and other concerned parties transparent to all users and ultimately paper-free.

With the existing manual process, it is all too easy for all parties to lose track of ULDs in their inventory. Cathay Pacific’s ULD blockchain system serves as a ‘single source of truth’ for the sake of providing the standard data and increasing visibility across the network for all concerned parties. The system will have the capability to replace paper receipts, while a specially-designed mobile app that makes use of blockchain’s smart contract will facilitate the transfer of ULDs in real time. Once all ULDs become smart with sensors installed, it can become a total paperless solution.