LoJack Corporation, a provider of wireless tracking and recovery systems for mobile assets, has released the results of its first annual cargo theft study. It reveals that “cargo theft is a serious, ongoing problem that is very profitable for professional thieves and very costly for organizations throughout the supply chain.”
The report is based on information the company collected and analyzed from its members in 2008 via Lojack’s Supply Chain-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (SC-ISAC). The center is the only source for information and analysis sanctioned by the government that helps the supply chain community and law enforcement protect the supply chain from illegal and disruptive activities, such as theft, terrorism and natural disasters.
Bassed on reported incidents of theft, the most common locations where cargo was stolen last year, in order, were: truck stops, parking lots (including drop yards), and facilities.
The states with the highest incidents of theft were, in order, Texas and Georgia. Alabama and North Carolina had the least amount of cargo thefts.
Food was the most often stolen cargo, the study found, followed by pharmaceutical/medical and building supplies. The greatest number of thefts occurred on weekends.
To help prevent cargo theft, LoJack advises companies to make certain they have an effective strategic plan to safeguard cargo throughout the supply chain. Companies that don’t have a supply chain security operation should create one by:
- Reviewing high-value shipper security requirements and government compliance guidelines.
- Developing corporate supply chain security guidelines, and drafting a written security plan.
- Contacting insurance carriers about any resources they may be able to offer to assist in developing a supply chain security strategy.
- Evaluating and regularly auditing transportation partners to ensure that they are following proper supply chain security guidelines, and conducting a driver screening process to reduce incidents of “inside jobs.”
- Establishing contractual security requirements for supply chain partners, and implementing the plan with partners.
Furthermore, LoJack says a layered approach to theft protection is the “best means” to ensure that cargo is safe from thieves. It recommends using such measures such as:
- Making certain trucks have immobilization devices such as wheel locks, fuel shut-offs, air cuff locks, ignition locks, and stolen vehicle recovery systems to help protect cargoes when drivers have to leave their equipment.
- Installing battery-disconnect switches.
- Using a proven covert cargo tracking, monitoring, and recovery system which offers the latest in technology and is integrated with law enforcement to facilitate recovery.
