Cargo Theft. How to Minimize the Risk?
The latest TAPA report (covering data from July 2024) brings concerning information. It turns out that the number of incidents related to cargo theft in Europe is increasing, and in July, it was the highest this year. There were over 1,700 thefts, marking an almost 18% increase compared to February of this year. Trailer theft remains a significant problem that shippers, carriers, and logistics service providers must tackle.
Products such as electronics, clothing, industrial raw materials, and fast-moving consumer goods, which hold high value on the black market, are particularly targeted by criminals. Although the risk of cargo theft in transit cannot be entirely eliminated, steps can be taken to minimize it. But how?
High Risk-High Value Loads
The types of goods mentioned above, identified by the TAPA report as those most often targeted by thieves, are referred to as High Risk-High Value Loads (HRHV). On one hand, these can be small-sized items like home electronics or clothing, while on the other, they include metal products or hazardous materials. In other words, HRHV loads are valuable to thieves because they can be quickly and profitably sold on the black market.
How do Cargo Thieves Operate?
We can generally speak of two types of criminals engaging in looting goods from trucks. The first type are opportunity thieves. They break into parking lots or truck stops along highways at night and randomly cut open trailer tarps or break locks on rigid trailer doors. If they come across attractive goods, they steal them (e.g., transferring the goods from the trailer into a parked van). The second type are organized criminal groups. Their members monitor loading and delivery points, track trucks, and choose the best moment for theft. They know exactly what is inside the trailers and when the best opportunity arises to steal the cargo. Sometimes, they even possess their own tractors – instead of stealing the goods, they steal entire trailers.
How to Minimize the Risk of Cargo Theft?
Shippers should primarily collaborate with logistics service providers and carriers who implement a range of precautions to reduce the risk of HRHV goods theft. This includes using trailers with TAPA-approved locks and only stopping at secured parking lots. During breaks, the driver should not stray far from the truck for too long. It is recommended to use a double crew. As the saying goes: two heads are better than one. Two drivers reduce the number of stops on the route (when one driver has to take a mandatory break, the other takes over driving), which could otherwise be an opportunity for theft. If the truck must stop at a parking lot, one driver will always be watching it.
Properly planning routes in advance is also crucial, for example, to avoid areas known to have active theft gangs or sections of roads without secured parking lots. Where possible, HRHV shipments should also avoid Friday loadings (though not always feasible), as it means that over the weekend (when truck movement restrictions apply;exceptions only apply to selected types of cargo), the truck would be parked and could become a target for thieves.
Another preventive measure is working exclusively with experienced and reliable transport companies that – in the case of high-risk and high-value loads – have a strict prohibition against subcontracting the transport service to other entities.
Cargo Insurance
It is said that it’s better to be safe than sorry. Insurance is not mandatory for any cargo owner, but by not insuring their loads, shippers expose themselves to financial losses in the event of theft. Liability insurance for freight covers only proven carrier liability. Therefore, it is always worth seriously considering purchasing additional full-value cargo insurance, which can be offered by a logistics partner working with an insurance company. As Coyote, we offer such a solution to our clients.