Securing the future of commerce.
Logistics plays a pivotal role in connecting businesses and consumers worldwide, but with this function comes the responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of the transported goods.
We delve into the multifaceted world of cargo transport safety, exploring the challenges faced by the industry and the innovative solutions that are driving a new era of secure logistics.
In December 2022, the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) documented an average of close to 20 cargo theft occurrences daily throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, resulting in losses exceeding €17 million for that month.
This high rate of incidents underscores the substantial challenges posed by cargo theft in these regions. The cumulative losses exceeding €17 million within a single month emphasise the economic impact and financial strain that such criminal activities can impose on businesses and the supply chain.
Your freight’s safety is not just about protecting the goods being shipped; it’s also about safeguarding lives and the environment. Accidents, theft, and damage during transit pose significant risks to everyone involved in the supply chain, from truck drivers and warehouse staff, to businesses and consumers awaiting their deliveries.
Understanding the stakes really highlights the importance of implementing comprehensive safety measures, which include:
One of the primary challenges in cargo transport safety is the risk of accidents and collisions. Long-haul trucking, a common mode of cargo transport, involves navigating vast distances on often congested roads. Factors such as driver fatigue, adverse weather conditions, and vehicle malfunctions contribute to the elevated risk of accidents.
Theft
Cargo theft is an unescapable issue that jeopardises the safety of transported goods. Criminal organisations actively target shipments, seeking opportunities to exploit vulnerabilities in the supply chain. From food and beverages to high-end electronics, cargo thieves continue to target commodities that can be sold easily on the black market, making almost all goods fair game.
Addressing this challenge requires a combination of technology, vigilant personnel, and strategic planning to create layers of defence against theft. Our shipment strategies include the chalking out of an optimal route for delivery and ensuring security at every step of the shipping process. The long-standing relationships we have with our suppliers ensure we only use trusted carriers that are vetted to carry your goods.
Regulatory compliance
Compliance with safety regulations is a critical aspect of cargo transport. The industry is subject to a web of local, national, and international regulations that aim to ensure the safe handling and transport of goods. Navigating this complex regulatory landscape demands a commitment to staying informed and implementing robust compliance protocols.
This commitment to safety is recognised by being an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO), which is an internationally recognised quality mark indicating that our role within the international supply chain is secure and the procedures we execute day-to-day and customs controls are compliant and efficient.
We will only work with customs partners who can deliver the service and reliability that we need. To ensure this, we carefully build relationships with them over time so that we can rely on them and you can rely on us.
Logistics partners can employ numerous techniques that can help to mitigate the risk of theft. Some of them include the following:
Appointing approved and vetted suppliers that implement a thoughtful approach to transportation security. This includes thorough screening and vetting of drivers, continuous updates on cargo theft trends, sharing of information about hijacking hotspots and high-risk areas, and proper training on incident reporting procedures. These measures aim to prevent internal fraud, and collusion with criminals, enhance preparedness, and enable swift responses to theft attempts.
Route planning
Establish and communicate authorised safe stops for activities like refuelling, meal breaks, and layovers that help to mitigate vulnerability. We also implement alternative driving routes to deter potential thieves monitoring and targeting specific paths regularly.
Pick-up and drop-off procedures
Enforce proper driver identification at pick-up locations to deny unauthorised individuals from taking possession of the cargo, use pre-agreed locations or company facilities for loading/unloading to minimise risks and instruct drivers to request and record identity documentation from the receiver at the delivery location to aid accountability.
Safety and security at vulnerable locations
Opt for well-lit areas when a driver must temporarily leave the load unattended to discourage thieves, strategically position the load to impede access, such as against a wall, when necessary, and promote the use of all available locking and theft prevention equipment, conducting regular checks on security locks at each stop to enhance cargo security.
Using technology
By integrating tracking devices on trucks, trailers, and cabs, along with establishing alerts for deviations from set routes or leaving designated areas to promptly respond to potential theft attempts, and employing multiple GPS-based tracking devices to counteract criminal tactics like “sniffers” and “jamming devices,” ensure the ability to identify the exact location of vehicles at any given time.
Cargo theft is very successful when it is unexpected. Transport managers, planners and logistics partners must be prepared when crime comes for the cargo they carry.
But, the overarching message is clear: a comprehensive approach, harmonising technology, training initiatives, and strategic planning, is imperative to tackling the safety challenges in cargo transport.
