Cargo theft has existed for decades ranging from thieves targeting merchants on trading routes to pirates. They steal ships at sea to stagecoach thieves on horseback. Regrettably, as cargo transportation systems have grown, so has theft.
The National Cargo Security Council (NCSC) predicts that cargo loss costs the world economy more than $50 billion each year. An expert burglar can break any lock if he has the expertise and the right tools. Alarms and several locks, on the other side, can make your trailer less enticing to thieves than others.
Well, In such scenarios, you should buy a cargo trailer security lock, which acts as a preventive measure. Bandits are now organizing into international crime syndicates, with trucks replacing horse-drawn carriages. Cargo theft affects both consumers and businesses.
In today's economy, Raw materials are often manufactured and sourced in one place. Later, the final product is consumed and warehoused in another location. The theft can occur at any stage along the way, jeopardizing the integrity and availability of the goods.
The economic downturn has raised the demand for black market commodities around the world. According to CargoNet, cargo theft damages totaled$13.9 million in the third quarter of 2018, with 188 incidents reported across the United States and Canada.
States with ports, like California, Texas, and Florida, are top hubs for cargo theft. Warehouses and truck stops are also popular targets, with robbers staking out a position for weeks or months or following the vehicle with a monitoring device.
Not to worry! Cargo Trailer Security Lock integrates location and sensor data with transportation and business operations information to give actionable security alerts.
Let us dive into this write-up to know about the ways to prevent cargo theft and how pandemic impacted cargo theft.
Keep Your Locations Secret and Locked up
It may seem self-evident, but drivers may inadvertently divulge sensitive data to unauthorized people. Take caution with what you mention about your cargo load everywhere. It includes everything from business-to-business discussions to social media.
Robbers may identify you more quickly if you notify your friends and family about your plans. If criminals chase you, you can bet they're looking at your internet activity to know about your planned stops. Keep the locations of your drop-offs as hidden as possible.
Although this is common sense, many truckers feel that if they leave for "for a minute," nothing awful will happen. However, in a matter of seconds, a skilled thief can take your cargo and leave you without it. So make sure all your windows are rolled up and the doors are locked, even if you're going out for a quick break.
It's crucial to have good lighting and close parking to give the driver the freedom to report suspicious activity that occurs while he's not at the vehicle. While away from the truck. Also, it confirms that doors are locked, and keys are not there.
Use Cargo Trailer Security Lock
There are several unique GPS tracking systems available these days that can assist in locating a stolen vehicle. If a car wanders outside of its route, security apps issue a security alert. Invest in car immobilization equipment to prevent a stolen vehicle from being driven until it is found.
Cargo Trailer Security Lock is an example of such a lock. It will aid in the prevention of cargo theft. If your vehicle or the container holding your goods is robbed, a GPS vehicle tracker can assist you in locating it.
Technological advancements have significantly impacted security. Technology increases security while lowering costs, increasing efficiency, and making tracking easier. GPS tracker monitors flag the security threats to unscheduled stops, route diversions, which are lower-than-average speeds.
Geofencing, devices that give alarms when trailer doors are unlocked or cargo is unloaded, and vehicle immobilization technology are alternatives.
Keep an eye out for hotspots for theft.
As per a report on Overdrive, California had the most cargo thefts, with 158 occurrences and a total loss worth $18.7 million.
Other states with high theft rates include Texas, Florida, Georgia, and New Jersey. Weekends are the most prevalent days for theft, with Friday being the most popular day. Food and beverages are the most regularly stolen items in the United States.
Examine your supply chain partners' security processes and confirm that you know the cargo's travel routes. It is critical to instruct drivers to be vigilant and recognize if they're being followed. Keep trucks protected and in a well-lit, secure location when parked.
Even when parked, drivers should remain alert to their surroundings. In addition, drivers should be trained in security procedures, and everyone should be aware of cargo trailer security locks when it comes to their safety.
Screening and Proper training of Employees
However, inside cargo theft is on the rise, and it can lead to greater organized crime. Pre-employment screening of new candidates, which includes a thorough background and criminal background check, will reduce the number of unethical personnel hired.
If you're using an independent owner-operator, ensure they get the same security checks as their staff. For the first 200 miles after taking up a load, drivers should be urged to avoid using discretionary gasoline or eating.
Thieves frequently follow the truck as it leaves the yard, expecting the driver to stop early at a stop.
Starting training methods with cargo trailer security locks will decrease cargo theft. When you're out on the road, your driver's safety is paramount.
When the employees are trained, they will save the company from thieves and also the damage caused by them. Make sure you're doing everything you can to ensure that safety is a top priority.
Create a multilayered plan of security
To prevent theft, fleets, carriers, and shippers should adopt a multilayered security strategy. A top-down approach to the situation is a multilayered security plan. An organization can begin by forming an internal or external risk management team.
This group will aid in the prevention of theft by ensuring that security measures are followed. Still, if cargo is taken, the risk management team will assist fleets in responding fast and recovering the lost shipment.
A recovery network must also be in place, according to fleets and risk management teams. Several law enforcement agencies, including municipal and state police departments, are part of the group.
Clean and open lines of contact with law enforcement allow fleets to report stolen cargo so that authorities can look for it.
How Pandemic Impacted Cargo Theft
The COVID-19 pandemic impact on supply chains will have a variety of consequences for the freight business. Some of the effects may not have been expected, leaving cargo owners and carriers with less insurance than they think.
In addition, as governments strive to control the spread of COVID-19 by implementing new security measures and travel bans, items in transit may be postponed, redirected, or discharged short of their final destination due to port/country restrictions.
Even after quarantines are lifted and production and transportation resume, the backlog might take months to clear. Even if a product is ready to move, finding containers in the correct places can be difficult.
Losses and expenditures incurred as a result of such delays are unlikely to be covered by insurance. In most situations, neither the logistics business nor the carrier may be held accountable. China's slowdown is felt in the United States and others.
According to Panjiva, an S&P Global Market Intelligence research branch, container volume at American ports fell 2.7 percent in January. As the outbreak progresses, much larger drops are projected, maybe as high as 20%.
Are you safe?
So, what does this mean for cargo owners and carriers in terms of insurance?
Cargo insurance typically does not cover loss or damage caused by delays. Carriers and cargo insurance are not ordinarily liable for extra costs incurred due to cargo being released short of its planned end location or being held in storage. Still, cargo insurance covers actual damage.
Perishable commodities may be covered for spoilage if caused by risk. However, they may not be covered for market loss or degradation due to late or delayed delivery. If the carrier triggers protection for general average costs, insurers will expect cargo to be managed in such a way that helps mitigate prospective damages.
However, it will be hard for insurers to give specific guidance on every circumstance because it is difficult to forecast where shipments limitations may impose or how losses may grow. As a result, insureds should act prudently and keep records of their actions and expenditures incurred.
Because insolvency is mentioned as a covered danger within the "landing and warehousing" clause, most cargo insurance granted extra expense coverage after the Hanjin bankruptcy.
As a result, it may be significantly more challenging to identify COVID-19 as a covered risk to goods and products and avoid cargo policy exclusions, including delay and market loss.
In terms of a carrier's or logistics services provider's liability, the inability to perform services as a result of COVID-19 quarantines will almost certainly be governed by the force majeure provisions found in most contracts of carriage — whether under a standard bill of lading or a custom contract.
Standard bills of lading/contracting provisions will almost undoubtedly exempt logistics providers from liability deriving from their inability to perform services during the pandemic. However, there may be instances where contracts have differing approaches to force majeure terms, resulting in disagreements.
In addition, given the volume of contracting in the logistics business and the possible economic implications of transit delay, cases will almost certainly be filed against logistics companies in the future, raising concerns about their capacity to minimize liability for customers.
Tailored Style
Combating cargo theft necessitates a multi-pronged approach tailored to each situation and includes measures implemented at all levels of an organization.
"A cookie-cutter style of work doesn't work," says Dan Purtell, senior vice president of supply chain solutions at the BSI Group, a London-based business standards organization.
Building excellent relationships with all business partners is critical, and with so many inside roles, the requirement for solid ties extends to employees. Reducing employee turnover and properly educating employees can assist logistics firms in strengthening their operations.
Many businesses have implemented specific procedures that, when layered, increase security and ensure that only authorized drivers pick up products. For example, the driver's identity and equipment numbers are recorded, the driver and license plate images are taken, and the driver's license is photocopied.
Devious pickups can also be thwarted with the use of technology and cargo trailer security lock. Brandman once helped a customer install a gadget that took digital photographs of a driver's face, CDL, and manifest and saved them in a permanent record.
The facility could send the driver's pictures to law enforcement in the event of a fraudulent pickup. Another barrier was posting notices about the photo-taking policy.
Cargo security systems are designed to safeguard goods from theft and protect containers from incoming bombs or drugs. When items are shipped into the United States via borders, ports, and airports, these issues are amplified.
Regular audits will also help to keep this issue at bay. Consider putting in place extreme monitoring as well. You'll be more likely to detect thieving personnel if you have security cameras installed in high-risk areas.
Bottom Line
Undoubtedly, high-tech gadgets help to detect stolen goods and vehicles. Knowing about theft trends and being up to date on some of the most cutting-edge anti-theft solutions will help you make the best judgments possible when it comes to securing your cargo. Nobody knows when shipping activity will stabilize.
As quarantines rise or change, insureds should keep aware of their contractual obligations with customers and exercise caution while transporting customer goods and selecting cargo priority.
Protect your shipments and reduce the danger of theft by incorporating the procedures mentioned above into your business. Cargo theft is expensive, resulting in supply chain disruptions, higher insurance rates, additional costs for replacing shipments.
Therefore, it is necessary to buy
cargo trailer security lock before losing your income due to delayed business