Combatting Cargo Theft - The Secret Sauce is Common Sense

Interest in the growing logistics demon—colloquially known as cargo theft—has risen in recent years as more legislators support their constituents’ request to cease terming the threat as a “victimless crime.” The North American shipping and transportation industry has entered its busiest season—September through January. In 2013, theft activity concentrated in the fourth quarter with a cumulative 242 incidents; the greatest number of incidents were reported in late September, just before the beginning of the holiday shipping season. Additionally, the United States has seen a significant rise in driver theft incidents, which involve either direct theft by the driver, the driver’s voluntary collusion or complicity in the crime, or a deceptive criminal posing as a legitimate carrier resource. Typically a crime of opportunity, thefts by drivers fluctuate in volume year-to-year. However, this method reached an all-time high in 2013, with a 76% increase over 2012 and a 389% increase over 2011. This growing trend—surreptitious drivers—warrants acute awareness as the shipping industry enters its peak season.
 
The last four months of the calendar year frequently infuse the most risk, often brought about by the supply and demand imparted on transportation operations. Limitations on available carriers regularly necessitate brokering (as well as re-brokering to the second, third, and sometimes fourth order). Additionally, high-volume requirements (both in production and shipping) strain workers throughout the supply chain to meet the demands of customers and end-users. This pressure often results in security practices being overlooked or sometimes avoided altogether. By observing the following ten fundamentals of logistics security, Supply Chain Professionals can minimize their chances of falling victim to this growing threat.

Courtesy of FreightWatch