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The Rising Threat of Cargo Theft: What Transportation Companies Need to Know

Cargo theft has evolved from opportunistic pilferage into sophisticated, digitally-orchestrated schemes costing the trucking industry billions. New research from the American Transportation Research Institute reveals just how serious this threat has become.


Pie charts show 65% motor carrier thefts, 100% logistics thefts, 73.5% unrecovered cargo; annual losses: $521K motor carriers, $1.8M LSPs.

How Thieves Operate Today


Strategic Theft: Sophisticated schemes involving load board manipulation, identity theft, and double-brokering. Criminals pose as legitimate carriers and intercept loads digitally. This is now the most common threat facing logistics service providers.


Pilferage: Partial cargo theft from trailers at rest stops or parking locations. These incidents add up quickly and are rarely recovered.


Straight Theft: Physical theft of entire loads, often including trucks and trailers.


Map of the U.S. with seven states in dark gray: California, Texas, Illinois, Georgia, Tennessee, New Hampshire, and Virginia. Light gray background.

What's Most at Risk

Food and beverages top the list (they're consumable and untraceable), followed by electronics, automotive parts, and retail goods.


Three Critical Defense Strategies


1. Build a Security Culture

  1. Educate drivers on theft prevention and situational awareness

  2. Establish strict parking and trailer drop protocols

  3. Vet carriers thoroughly and use multi-factor authentication

  4. Make security everyone's responsibility


2. Leverage Technology

  1. GPS tracking with virtual boundaries and real-time alerts when vehicles deviate from planned routes

  2. High-security locks and custom seals

  3. Facility surveillance systems

  4. Redundant tracking systems


3. Report Strategically While 82% of carriers report theft to law enforcement, only 56% report to insurance - often due to concerns about premium increases. However, underreporting makes recovery harder and allows criminals to continue operating.


How Cottingham & Butler Can Help

Our transportation specialists understand the unique challenges facing motor carriers and logistics providers. We can help you:

  1. Assess your cargo theft vulnerabilities

  2. Implement prevention strategies that may reduce insurance costs

  3. Structure coverage to balance protection with budget

  4. Navigate the claims process efficiently


Don't wait until you become a statistic. Contact your Cottingham & Butler representative today to discuss your cargo security and insurance strategy.

Source: "The Fight Against Cargo Theft: Insights from the Trucking Industry," American Transportation Research Institute, October 2025

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