Cargo Theft Sees Small Decline but Remains High Compared to Last Year

 

New data from CargoNet's 2024 Second Quarter Supply Chain Risk Trends Analysis shows a slight decline in cargo theft, with 771 thefts reported, a 10% decrease from the first quarter.  Despite this, thefts are still 33% higher than the same period last year, with losses estimated at $68.5 million.  Notably, thefts of vitamins, supplements, alcoholic beverages, and skincare products increased.

Cargo theft remains concentrated in California, Illinois, and Texas, which accounted for 57% of incidents.  Legislative efforts are underway to address this, including the introduction of the Safeguarding our Supply Chains Act by California Rep. David G. Valadao.  The bill aims to establish a Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within the Department of Homeland Security, focusing on supply chain fraud and theft.

Organized cargo theft rings in Southern California are a significant threat, and theft by deception schemes are on the rise across the U.S. CargoNet predicts these methods will continue to gain popularity, keeping theft activity elevated in the third quarter of 2024.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Current Trends: While cargo thefts saw a small decline, they remain significantly higher than the previous year.
  2. Financial Impact: Estimated losses reached $68.5 million, with an average of $150,711 per theft.
  3. Legislative Efforts: New bills aim to strengthen supply chain security and reduce cargo theft.
  4. Future Predictions: Organized theft rings and deceptive theft schemes are expected to grow, keeping theft rates high.

Recent Incident: Beef Heist in Philadelphia

In a recent incident highlighting ongoing cargo theft issues, police in Southwest Philadelphia are investigating the theft of 400 cases of beef from a refrigerated tractor-trailer.  The heist, which occurred around 4:50 a.m. on Tuesday, resulted in the theft of 12 pallets of meat.  The truck was parked on 63rd Street near Eastwick Avenue when the driver discovered the theft.  These types of heists have been more frequent in Northeast Philadelphia, though connections between incidents remain unclear.

High Security Shipping with Road Scholar Transport

Given the rising threats, ensuring the safety and integrity of high-value cargo is crucial.  Road Scholar Transport offers a robust security infrastructure to protect your shipments.  Our advanced security features include:

  • Asset-based carrier with a .0001% claim record and zero full cargo losses.
  • Expedited services and real-time telematics for monitoring shipment locations and temperatures.
  • 24/7 dispatch and oversight with qualified, background-checked drivers trained in the latest cargo theft threats.
  • Geofencing capabilities and electronic door monitoring with email alerts and on-demand GPS locations.
  • High-security locks such as Navalock trailer locks and Babaco truck locks that are resistant to cutting, breaking, or shimming.
  • Awareness trucks that are brightly colored and easily distinguishable.
  • Strategically placed terminal network, allowing quick access to major northeast distribution hubs.

These security measures are critical for safeguarding your high-value cargo throughout the transport process, ensuring it reaches its destination safely and intact.

Visit our high security shipping page to learn more.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Shippers at Risk: Understanding Vicarious Liability in the Transport Industry

Could you imagine asking your boss for $23 million?   In a landmark 2004 case, C.H. Robinson, a third-party logistics provider, contracted Dragonfly Express to transport a shipment for one of their customers.   Unfortunately, the driver, who falsified logbook entries and drove at an unsafe speed, caused an accident resulting in two fatalities and a serious injury.   Despite C.H. Robinson's defense that they were "not responsible for the actions of an independent contractor or its driver," the court held C.H. Robinson, the driver, and Dragonfly Express liable for over $23 million in damages. The Role of Vicarious Liability This case highlighted the doctrine of vicarious liability, which can extend responsibility beyond the carrier to other parties involved, including shippers.   Under vicarious liability, if a shipper acts as a principal, they can be held liable for the conduct of the carrier or broker acting as their agent.   This principle implies that ship...
Read more

The Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act: Empowering FMCSA to Combat Fraud

The trucking industry has long been vulnerable to fraudulent activities, particularly in the transportation of household goods.   To address this issue, a new legislative initiative—the Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act—has been introduced.   This bill aims to grant the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enhanced authority to protect consumers from fraud in the interstate transportation of household goods. Key Provisions of the Act 1.      Civil Penalties for Unregistered Shippers and Hostage Situations : The act empowers FMCSA to impose civil penalties on unregistered shippers and entities that hold consumers' personal goods hostage.   This authority is crucial for deterring fraudulent practices and ensuring consumer protection. 2.      State Reimbursement for Enforcing Federal Laws : The bill provides FMCSA with explicit authority to reimburse states for enforcing...
Read more

Ensuring Safety and Compliance: The Essentials of Hazmat Shipping

  The transportation of hazardous materials (hazmat) demands heightened care and precision due to the significant risks associated with accidents, spills, or theft.   Choosing the wrong hazmat-certified trucking carrier can lead to severe consequences, including accidents, environmental damage, and hefty fines for non-compliance with regulations.   The Importance of Compliance and Safety in Hazmat Shipping Transporting hazmat involves a unique set of responsibilities.   In the U.S., nearly 3.3 billion tons of hazmat products are transported annually.   Shippers must ensure these materials are handled, transported, stored, and disposed of safely and in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.   Failure to do so can result in significant liabilities, including cleanup costs, damage reparations, and penalties that can reach up to $25,000 per day. The Risks of Choosing the Wrong Carrier When arranging transportation, it is crucial to pla...
Read more