With cargo theft surging at unprecedented rates, securing valuable shipments has never been more critical. The first quarter of 2024 saw a staggering 46% increase in cargo theft incidents compared to the last quarter of 2023. While thieves are becoming more sophisticated and organized, particularly targeting high-value items like electronics and food products, businesses need robust solutions to safeguard their goods.
Power In-Lock, the innovative internal locking system, ensures the safety of containers and shipments by preventing cargo theft more effectively than anything.
Invisible and Inaccessible Design
Unlike traditional locking mechanisms, Power In-Lock is mounted inside the target enclosure, making it undetectable and virtually inaccessible to potential thieves. This discreet setup acts as a powerful deterrent against opportunistic thefts, safeguarding both your brand and your customers’ trust.
The Escalating Threat of Cargo Theft
Cargo theft has evolved into a sophisticated operation, with organized crime rings deploying fraud schemes and taking advantage of rapid supply chain movements. Keith Lewis, Vice President of Operations at CargoNet, highlighted that the efficiency of today’s supply chain has inadvertently become a vulnerability, as thieves exploit faster movement and less stringent vetting processes. Lewis points out that “it’s less administrative, and we’re moving these goods at light speed…what the bad guys have figured out is, the faster we move things, the less vetting we do, and the faster they can steal things.”
This has led to an alarming rise in thefts, particularly in hotspots like Southern California, Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta, and the Northeast Corridor. In 2023, California alone accounted for 48% of all cargo thefts in the United States, and the trend is only expected to continue into 2024 with a projected 35% increase in theft incidents.
Theft Trends and Challenges Throughout the Supply Chain
Common targets include high-demand commodities such as energy drinks, electronics, and household goods, which are easily moved and sold on the black market. “We’re seeing this type of crime hit all different types of commodities, from food and solar panels to high-end electronics,” said Lewis.
Electronics remain the primary target for cargo theft, yet a variety of shippers face their own distinct challenges. Rachel DeRosier, international export manager at Johnsonville, highlighted these issues at the 2024 Agriculture Transportation Coalition Conference, noting incidents where thieves breached railyards to tamper with temperature-controlled containers of meat, ultimately leaving the goods untouched and spoiled in pursuit of more valuable items. This scenario doesn’t involve actual theft, which complicates insurance claims as all goods must still be discarded to prevent potential spoilage.
Power In-Lock: The Ultimate Proactive Cargo Security Solution
CargoNet anticipates that high levels of non-delivery thefts will persist, which could negatively impact the logistics and transportation industry. The constantly evolving threat environment underscores the importance for stakeholders across the supply chain to adopt proactive security measures. Power In-Lock offers an advanced, multi-faceted approach to combatting cargo theft. Here’s how it stands out:
Bluetooth and Telematics Remote Access
With Power In-Lock, you have full control over your cargo security at your fingertips. The Bluetooth-enabled system allows you to lock and unlock your cargo remotely, integrating seamlessly with telematics providers for electronic seal verification. This means you can monitor and control access to your shipments anytime to prevent the theft of unattended loaded trailers.
Robust Audit and Tracking Systems
One of the core strengths of Power In-Lock is its unparalleled audit and tracking capabilities. All door activity is recorded from the moment your cargo is loaded until it reaches its destination, ensuring a transparent and verifiable chain of custody. This level of traceability is crucial in proving the integrity of your shipments, even when faced with damaged or missing trailer seals.
Intuitive Desktop and Mobile Applications
Power In-Lock extends beyond physical security with user-friendly desktop and mobile applications. These platforms provide centralized administrative control, allowing you to authorize users, customize roles and permissions, and set expiration times for access. This ensures that only authorized personnel can access your cargo, thereby boosting security and thwarting theft from intricate fraud schemes.
Invisible and Inaccessible Design
Unlike traditional locking mechanisms, Power In-Lock is mounted inside the target enclosure, making it undetectable and virtually inaccessible to potential thieves. This discreet setup acts as a powerful deterrent against opportunistic thefts, safeguarding both your brand and your customers’ trust.
Tailored Solutions for All OEM’s and Door Types
Power In-Lock is designed to meet the specific needs of various industries:
- Fleet Companies: Maintain the integrity of your cargo with event logging that proves the security of your payload.
- Refrigerated Trailers and Containers: Ensure FSMA compliance with meticulous tracking of all door activities, providing a transparent record for food and pharmaceutical transportation.
- High-Value Dry Cargo: Protect electronics and high-value consumer goods with an impenetrable security system that prevents over-the-road and intermodal cargo theft.
The Proven Solution to Secure Cargo
As cargo theft continues to rise, the need for robust security solutions like Power In-Lock has never been more urgent. By leveraging advanced technology and comprehensive tracking systems, Power In-Lock provides an effective defense against the sophisticated methods employed in today’s environment. Visit Power In-Lock to learn more about how our innovative solutions will safeguard your shipments.
Sources:
1. Pamella De Leon, “Surge of cargo theft is ‘hitting us like lightning,’ experts say,” CargoNet, May 17, 2024. https://www.ccjdigital.com/business/article/15671013/surge-of-cargo-theft-is-hitting-us-like-lightning-experts-say
2. “CargoNet Warns of a Surge in Stolen Trucking Shipments,” Trucking Info, 2024. https://www.truckinginfo.com/10221397/cargonet-warns-of-a-surge-in-stolen-trucking-shipments
3. “Organized Crime at its Finest’: Huge Rise in Cargo Thefts Continues,” Supply Chain Brain, 2024. https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/39780-organized-crime-at-its-finest-huge-rise-in-cargo-thefts-continues?oly_enc_id=5689F0268256I9Z
