Table 1 Operational cost elements for loading operations

Employees cost

This cost relates to the average hourly wage of the operator handling the equipment used for unloading, preparation, checking or loading the cargo. These costs may vary depending on the technology used (as different technologies may require different skilled operators, e.g. when working with a high-tech system, a more expensive operator with a higher average hourly wage is employed)

Fuel/energy cost

This cost element relates to the fuel or energy consumption of the equipment used. For forklift trucks, an average hourly fuel consumption must be considered, while for equipment using electrical energy, this input must bear the average hourly energy consumption

Cost of faults (human error, scanning at loading operations)

This cost element relates to the frequency of errors per week. The type of errors covered by this element relates to the loading an incorrect pallet into a trailer due to a human error, incorrect scanning, etc. These types of costs are in principle eliminated when automated loading technologies are used. This cost element should not be confused with the cost of physical damage to pallets or equipment. These types of costs are included in a separate cost element

Cost of delay

This cost element refers to the average cost per month caused by delays in loading/preparing/unloading the cargo. Costs such as loss of revenue (e.g. due to delays), fines from customers, etc. should be included in this category

Cost of accidents

This input relates to the expected number of accidents per year that are caused during loading/preparing/unloading operations. This input has to be based on historical data

Cost of damage

This cost element relates to the value of the damage to loading units, equipment and/or goods caused by the loading technique used