Disclosed here is a cargo drive unit for a cargo hold of an aircraft. The cargo drive unit includes at least one driven power transmission element, which is configured to transmit drive forces to a load arranged in the cargo hold, in order to move the load inside the cargo hold. The cargo drive unit also includes a sensor unit configured to acquire at least one movement parameter of the load. The cargo drive unit also includes a control unit configured to control the power transmission element according to the acquired movement parameter. Also disclosed here is a cargo hold that includes such a cargo drive unit, and a related method for operating such a cargo hold.