Cargo Theft Costs Trucking $18 Million Daily, According to ATRI Report
Cargo theft has reached staggering new heights in the U.S. freight industry—costing carriers and logistics firms an estimated $18 million every single day, according to a new report from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI). The research highlights just how vulnerable the modern supply chain has become, especially as digital systems create new opportunities for criminals to infiltrate and exploit operations. The Alarming Cost of Cargo Crime ATRI’s comprehensive 70-page report, “The Fight Against Cargo Theft: Insights from the Trucking Industry,” pegs annual cargo theft losses at $6.6 billion. Even more troubling, 74% of stolen goods are never recovered, leaving businesses to absorb the financial hit while consumers ultimately face higher prices. Motor carriers lose an average of $520,000 each year, while logistics service providers (LSPs) see nearly $1.84 million in annual losses due to theft. These staggering numbers reveal a harsh truth: ca...