Want to Prevent Cargo Theft? Keep These Dos and Don\’ts in Mind

 

U.S. e-commerce revenue is about $423.3 billion and is steadily climbing. Whether it\’s full truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), or parcel, carriers are being forced to adjust to changes in the retail industry. With that in mind, all load brokers should recognize that trucks carry the largest share of freight by value, tons, and ton-miles for shipments moving 750 or fewer miles. Rail, on the other hand, is the dominant mode by tons and ton-miles for shipments moved from 750 to 2,000 miles. And though cargo theft incidents are diminishing thanks to the help of load broker software, it does still happen, and knowing how to properly prevent it can save you significant time, money, and frustration. Here are just a few dos and don\’ts to keep in mind if you want to protect your cargo and prevent cargo theft.

DO: Screen new employees

Many experts in the cargo security field say that many cargo thefts involve people or information from inside the company, so be careful when hiring new employees and have multiple screening processes in place.

DON\’T: Forget to foster a sense of security in all employees

Similarly, it\’s important to make sure all employees are adequately trained regarding the latest security policies and procedures within the company. It\’s always worth the time to invest in monthly or quarterly training meetings to ensure all employees are updated.

DO: Use a reliable transportation management software

TMS systems are increasing in popularity for a reason, and as mentioned, they\’re also why cargo thefts are decreasing. Take the time to invest in a reliable TMS system to optimize efficiency on all fronts.

DON\’T: Neglect the importance of audits

Finally, even if there haven\’t been any cargo thefts in awhile, it\’s important to conduct security audits periodically. This can help pick up on personnel changes, operation transitions, and other details that could impact overall security.

According to data from CargoNet and FreightWatch International, in the first three quarters of 2016, approximately 615 cargo-theft incidents were recorded. Understanding how to prevent cargo theft is the key to load broker efficiency. For more information about load broker systems, contact 3PL Systems.