Three proven strategies to prevent cargo theft

The over-the-road (OTR) transport industry is experiencing a surge in cargo thefts. As thieves combine straight theft with more sophisticated robbery schemes, stakeholders will need to implement robust tracking and geofencing technologies to better protect shipments. In a recent article for Food Logistics, I discussed three ways in which these tools can help to stop thieves in their tracks.

According to recent data from CargoNet, the transport industry recorded a 57 percent increase in cargo theft across the United States and Canada from 2022 to 2023. Thefts were mainly focused on higher-value commodities, such as food, beverages and electronics. In Q2 2023 alone, thieves stole more than $44 million in shipments, with the value per theft estimated to be an average of $260,703.

The ongoing crime wave has revealed a shift from straight theft to strategic shipment misdirection attacks. In addition to simply pilfering a tractor-trailer where it’s parked, thieves are assuming the identities of motor carriers and logistics brokers to obtain freight, misdirect it from the intended receiver, and steal it. The frequency of these more strategic attacks increased a staggering 430 percent from 2022 to 2023.

Cargo industry experts agree that integrated tracking technologies with built-in geofencing capabilities have become mandatory tools for an effective cargo theft prevention strategy. Employing these devices on trailers or cargo shipments can provide a much-needed layer of virtual security.

Copeland’s Oversight cargo software and GO real-time 4G/5G tracking devices leverage global mobile cellular communication networks to provide real-time mapping, tracking, monitoring, geofencing and alerting capabilities. By utilizing Oversight’s advanced software features and the built-in sensing capabilities of GO real-time trackers (i.e., temperature monitoring or light detection for security), stakeholders can establish three key strategies for combating this historic wave of cargo theft.

1. Monitor shipping routes.

Do you know where your shipments are at any given moment? Oversight software provides a live mapping dashboard for maintaining visibility of shipper locations, status and/or conditions. If you see a shipment deviating from its planned routes, you can contact the driver or carrier to confirm the reason. If you suspect a theft is in progress, immediately contact the local authorities and relay the shipment’s location.

2. Build a geofence.

Oversight software can also be used to set up a geofence around known hotspots for cargo theft. The solution leverages GO real-time tracking devices and cellular triangulation technology to build a virtual boundary around a specific high-risk zone. When shipments enter or exit a geofence, the software sends alerts and puts stakeholders on notice of the potential for suspicious activity. Live mapping capabilities enable you to monitor shipments until they have safely exited the geofence, as expected.

3. Catch thieves in the act.

Although you may not be able to prevent cargo theft entirely, you can use a tracking infrastructure to potentially alert you when a heist is underway. By using Oversight and GO real-time tracking devices with built-in light sensors, you can be notified as soon as trailer doors are opened. If this occurs at a suspicious location (i.e., a truck stop) or during an unexpected time frame (i.e., in the middle of the night), it’s a likely indication of breaking and entering.

With Copeland’s cloud-based Oversight software and GO real-time tracking devices, stakeholders can create a reliable and effective theft-prevention infrastructure. And by leveraging its advanced geofencing technologies around high-risk zones, your company can transition to a more proactive cargo security strategy.

If your internal team needs help managing a theft-prevention program, Copeland also provides turnkey managed services for our transport customers. Our teams are trained to understand your specific shipping routes and security challenges to provide round-the-clock monitoring and protection. Using Oversight software, geofencing and alerts, we can notify key stakeholders or escalate issue resolution based on your specific business requirements.

To learn more about Oversight cargo software and value-added services, please visit our website.