We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • ::COVID-19 COVERAGE::
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • SUBMISSIONS
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • Upload your video
  • BLOGS & MORE
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • SCQ Forum
      • Reflections
    • Mobile Apps
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • Upload your video
  • BLOGS & MORE
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • SCQ Forum
      • Reflections
    • Mobile Apps
Home » Cargo thieves target containers rushed into U.S. ahead of threatened tariffs
Forward Thinking

Cargo thieves target containers rushed into U.S. ahead of threatened tariffs

November 18, 2019
Supply Chain Quarterly Staff
No Comments

Map: U.S. Cargo Theft, Q3 2019Cargo theft across the U.S. increased in the third quarter, with thieves targeting high-value items and making off with an average value of $155,709 per incident, according to the Beverly, Mass.-based supply chain visibility provider Sensitech Inc.

One main reason for the increase was companies' rush to import shipments from China before new rounds of White House tariffs take effect, causing a glut of containerized freight—particularly in Southern California—that is stored under the same type of lax security that is typically found in the fourth quarter shipping rush, Sensitech said.

Overall, thefts in the third quarter rose 13% in volume and 31% in value over the second quarter, while posting a rise of 3% in volume and a decrease of 8% in value compared to the same quarter last year, Sensitech said in its "U.S. Q3-2019 Cargo Theft Intelligence Report."

Sensitech based its report on tracking a total of 165 confirmed cargo thefts over the third quarter nationwide, not counting thefts of assets such as trailers and containers, or of last-mile courier parcels. That means the report focuses on large-scale incidents such as: full truckload theft, fictitious pickups, hijacking, pilferage, and facility thefts.

Due largely to the tariff-triggered container import rush, California remained the most stolen-from state with 26% of total thefts in the third quarter, the study found. The next most dangerous areas for cargo were Texas (10%), Georgia (9%), Florida (just under 9%), and a three-way tie between Illinois, New Jersey, and Tennessee (each with 6%).

Regardless of geography, thieves target the same situations in most thefts, with a whopping 74% of thefts in the study occurring in "unsecured parking" sites. In comparison, thefts from the warehouse or DC recorded just 15% of the total, and "secured parking" recorded 11%.

Despite those patterns, organized cargo thieves are shifting tactics to evade capture, as evidenced by a rise in "atypical" theft types such as facility theft and fictitious pickups, SensiTech said. "As cargo thieves continually adapt to the evolving logistical security landscape, new threats will take shape in the form of new theft methods and new targeted products in new regions. High value or low security will not be the only determining factors in theft risk to cargo as thieves will adjust to the increased risk and modify their efforts accordingly," the company said.

Further evidence that cargo thieves are becoming more organized can be found in their preference for stealing three top product types, including: electronics (particularly televisions or displays) at 21% of the total, home & garden (particularly appliances) at 19%, and food & drinks (particularly seafood or candy, cookies & snacks) at 14%.

Combined, those top three product types accounted for 54% of all third quarter cargo thefts, up from 53% in the second quarter, and up from 49% in the same quarter last year, the company found.

#SensiGuard Global Intelligence Notes are out! Visit #Sensitech Intelligence Center to read the full weekly report: https://t.co/crwdoICdGu pic.twitter.com/VN1V0xicre

— Sensitech Inc (@Sensitech) November 14, 2019
Global Strategy
  • Related Articles

    Report: Trucks remain prime target of cargo thieves worldwide

    Global air cargo traffic will grow at a rate that's well ahead of earlier forecasts, IATA says

    Smart containers see rising prominence in cargo tracking, Drewry says

Recent Articles by Supply Chain Quarterly Staff

Blasgen to retire as leader of CSCMP in March

Reports: Outlook calls for stronger supply chains

Gartner: 4 ways to compete with industry disruptors

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • The 3PL industry: time to reset

  • Supply chain resiliency starts with supplier mapping

  • Freight market growth expected to slow in 2021

  • Seizing the helm

  • The Top Supply Chain Pains That You Should Address For a Healthier 2021

Featured Video

Be8de8b1 9bd3 48d6 9400 0bf476fd1f5d

Optimization Through Lean Management 

Viewer Contributed
Uncertain times can put a tremendous strain on your business’s people, processes and supply chains. However, operations can mitigate some of these factors by adopting lean management principles and instilling a culture of continuous improvement. Raymond Lean Management Manager of Solutions and Support Centers Keith...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • The Top Supply Chain Pains That You Should Address For a Healthier 2021

  • Research Report: New Rules for Supply Chain Insights, Collaboration and Overall Resiliency

  • Logistics 2030 – Navigating a Disruptive Decade (Year 2 Report)

View More

Subscribe to Supply Chain Quarterly

Get Your Subscription
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • E-NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2021. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing