In April 2023, the early morning silence of a Walmart parking lot in Northeast Philadelphia was abruptly broken. A nondescript trailer, harboring $750,000 worth of dimes from the Philadelphia Mint, was stationed overnight, awaiting its impending journey to Florida. However, the breaking of bolts reverberated through the air, disrupting the cargo's serenity. Unseen, an intruder absconded with one million dimes, amounting to $100,000.

While the notion of pilfering a mountain of dimes might appear unconventional, law enforcement authorities deem such incidents to be increasingly typical, symptomatic of the growing epidemic of cargo theft across the nation.

Per insights from a Philadelphia police captain, the spectrum of stolen goods is vast, ranging from perishables like lamb and chicken to durable goods like TVs and refrigerators. This illicit trend is by no means minor; the FBI estimates that cargo theft inflicts a colossal annual financial toll of $15–$30 billion on trucking companies and retailers in the United States alone. Illuminating the severity of the problem, cargo theft and associated fraudulent activities witnessed a striking 41% surge during the initial 20 weeks of 2023.

This raises pertinent questions: Is there a beacon of hope in navigating this intensifying tide of theft? Can deploying advanced technologies such as real-time visibility effectively deter this alarming trend?

The complexities of the modern supply chain landscape are met with escalating challenges, with cargo theft being a significant concern causing substantial economic ramifications and disruptions. The increasing sophistication of theft tactics necessitates a strategic and innovative approach to secure freight and mitigate associated risks. In this evolving scenario, real-time visibility emerges as a pivotal solution, enabling proactive management and enhanced security of shipments.

Understanding Cargo Theft

Cargo theft continues to be a pervasive and intricate issue, presenting itself through a spectrum of methods, each with its own set of challenges. The act of thieving unattended goods from diverse locations like transit vehicles, warehouses, and truck yards is relentless and evolving, emphasizing the indispensable need for fortified security protocols and heightened operational cognizance.

Varied Manifestations

• Pilferage: Small-scale thefts occurring during handling and storage can accumulate over time, posing significant cumulative losses and marking businesses as susceptible targets.
• Strategic Theft: This sophisticated method involves deceptive and calculated tactics, such as fraudulent pickups and identity theft, requiring an intimate knowledge of supply chain operations to counter.
• Fraudulent Pickups: Criminals masquerading as lawful transporters exploit vulnerabilities and human errors to unlawfully acquire cargo, necessitating stringent verification processes.

Escalating Incidences

Recent data illustrates a worrying escalation in cargo theft occurrences, propelling an urgent reassessment of prevailing security strategies. The versatility in theft tactics ranges from intercepting goods during transit to exploiting stationary cargo. The proliferation of these incidents underscores the criticality of innovative and adaptive measures to enhance cargo security.

Holistic Awareness and Adaptation

The ongoing surge in cargo theft incidents necessitates a holistic understanding of the multifaceted nature of cargo theft and the adoption of comprehensive security measures. This encompasses not only the development of advanced security protocols but also the cultivation of a culture of vigilance and adaptability within the industry. The commitment to continuous learning and adaptation is pivotal in staying ahead of evolving threats and ensuring the integrity of the supply chain.

Seeking Solutions

In light of the rising tide of cargo theft, the quest for innovative and effective solutions is imperative. Integrating technology, enhanced security protocols, and a proactive approach to risk management are fundamental in navigating the complex landscape of cargo theft and ensuring the resilience and security of supply chain operations.

The Significance of Real-Time Visibility

Real-time visibility is a cornerstone in enhancing supply chain security. It enables shippers to track goods constantly, offering insights into the location and status of their shipments. This capability is crucial in facilitating the immediate resolution of transit issues, optimizing operational efficiency, and improving the overall end-customer experience. Additionally, it significantly diminishes the resources — staffing, time, and cost — expended to acquire visibility through manual means.

• Proactive Exception Management: Real-time visibility enables the analysis of shipment data to make actionable decisions swiftly, allowing logistics teams to address various shipment-related issues proactively.
• Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: The ability to preemptively notify and resolve issues underscores customer satisfaction as a priority, fostering trust and reliability in the shipping process.
• Operational Efficiency: The insights gained through real-time visibility allow for a deeper dive into operational gaps, leading to more efficient loss and damage claims management with carriers.

Combatting Cargo Theft with Strategic Insights

The integration of real-time visibility in supply chain operations empowers shippers to stay ahead of potential threats. The immediate access to shipment information and status allows for swift response to any discrepancies, thereby reducing the likelihood of cargo theft. Strategic insights derived from real-time data enable shippers to identify and address vulnerabilities in their supply chain, fortifying their defenses against the evolving tactics of cargo thieves.

A Large High-Tech Company Relies on Real‐time Visibility to Drive Improved Exception Management

A case study involving a high-tech company illustrates the impact of real-time visibility on exception management. The large high-tech company utilized real-time visibility solutions to provide their customers with 24/7 shipment location information, improving on-time performance and the overall customer experience, as well as a better pulse on potential cargo or package theft.

• 24/7 Shipment Location Information: The implementation of real-time visibility offered continuous insights into shipment locations, significantly enhancing on-time performance and improving the overall end-customer experience.
• Proactive Exception Management: The real-time data enabled swift and proactive resolution of transit issues, allowing the logistics team to mitigate potential disruptions effectively.
• Enhanced Customer Interactions: The ability to provide customers with real-time updates fostered trust and reliability, underscoring the company's commitment to customer satisfaction.
• Efficient Claims Management: The documentation provided through real-time visibility facilitated more streamlined and effective loss and damage claims management with carriers.
• Operational Insights: The application of real-time visibility solutions allowed for a deeper exploration of operational gaps and vulnerabilities, leading to refined and more secure supply chain operations.

Navigating the Future: Embracing Innovation for a Secure Supply Chain

Adopting real-time visibility solutions is paramount in addressing the rising challenges in cargo security. It not only allows shippers to enhance the security and efficiency of their supply chain operations but also elevates the level of service provided to the end customers. In a landscape marked by escalating threats and operational complexities, real-time visibility stands as a beacon of innovation and strategic foresight, guiding the way toward a more secure and resilient supply chain ecosystem.

Hannah Testani is CEO, Intelligent Audit.

This article originally appeared in the 2023 Global/Cross-Border edition of PARCEL.