Cargo theft incidents up slightly in summer months, report suggests

Incidents of cargo theft in the United States between June and August increased by 5% over the previous three months, according to the rolling quarterly report from FreightWatch International.

This summer, the organization recorded 202 thefts in the U.S., with 87 in June, 62 in July and 63 in August. The company uses data from its “supply chain intelligence center” to track cargo theft worldwide.

For the three summer months, the average loss value per incident was $166,454, up 9% over the previous three months, according to FreightWatch.

Food and drink accounted for the most commonly stolen product type with 45 thefts, followed by the electronics industry with 29 thefts.

California held its spot as the state with the most thefts, accounting for 46 of the total. Texas was second with 34 thefts.

Of the incidents where a location type was recorded, unsecured parking was most common, with 111 thefts, while 23 incidents were recorded at areas of secured parking, the report notes. It also reported five thefts from a facility interior and two in-transit thefts.

“Following the usual trend, incidents involving theft of a trailer/container, 165 in all, were most common in the rolling quarter, accounting for 76% of all thefts,” the report also notes. “Thefts involving deceptive pickup remained the same as the previous three months at 19 incidents, comprising 9% of the total.”