Vanishing Act: Battling the Surge of Cargo Theft

Cargo theft continues to be a significant concern within the transportation industry, with recent incidents shedding light on the increasingly sophisticated tactics employed by criminals. Mary Sandoval, a trade operator, experienced firsthand the repercussions of cargo theft when a truck carrying avocados vanished after departing a warehouse in Laredo, Texas. This incident, alongside others, underscores the widespread nature of cargo theft and its substantial financial impacts on businesses.

According to data from CargoNet, cargo theft witnessed a staggering 57% surge in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the previous year, reaching a 10-year high. Scott Cornell, a transportation specialist at Travelers, warns that this alarming trend is expected to persist into 2024, fueled by strategic theft schemes involving fraud and identity theft.

Hotspots for cargo theft include states like California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, and Kentucky, where thieves target various commodities ranging from food to electronics and household goods.

During the first quarter of 2024, Overhaul reported 11 theft incidents, each resulting in losses exceeding $1 million, signifying a notable increase from previous years. Electronics and pharmaceuticals have emerged as prime targets for these thieves. The lack of adequate cargo security features exacerbates the issue, leaving shippers vulnerable to attacks.

Insurance Services Office, Inc. (Verisk). (2024). CargoNet’s Q1 2024 Supply Chain Risk Trends [Infographic]. https://www.cargonet.com/news-and-events/cargonet-in-the-media/2024-q1-theft-trends/.

Keith Lewis, CargoNet’s vice president of operations, emphasizes the rise in complex fraud schemes contributing to the surge in theft incidents. Despite intensified efforts to combat cargo theft, challenges persist, particularly with sophisticated international operations posing significant obstacles to tracking and recovering stolen cargo.

Simultaneously, the trucking industry confronted a surge in cargo thefts during the first quarter of 2024, as highlighted by CargoNet’s data. Criminal activities impacting the transportation sector surged by 46% year-over-year, resulting in the theft of goods valued at $154.6 million during this period. CargoNet reported that during the first quarter of 2024, there were 925 reported theft incidents, resulting in $76,029,207 in loss revenue.

In an article written by Transport Topics, Lewis pointed out the emergence of document forgery as a new type of crime, enabling criminals to fraudulently secure and partially unload loads. In his interview, Lewis states, “I don’t know how much longer the insurance companies can deal with this. Sooner or later, that industry is going to have to start a little pushback as well.”

Despite these challenges, industry stakeholders remain committed to enhancing security measures and fostering collaboration to safeguard supply chains and effectively combat cargo theft. Vigilance and implementation of robust security protocols are crucial for trade operators to mitigate the risk of theft, with collaboration with cargo security organizations like Overhaul and CargoNet offering valuable support and insights in this endeavor.