The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has released a new study highlighting the growing threat of cargo theft and its significant economic impact across the United States. According to the research, the trucking and logistics industry faces an estimated 6.6 billion dollars in annual losses, or more than 18 million dollars each day. Motor carriers report average yearly theft losses exceeding 520,000 dollars, while logistics service providers face nearly 1.84 million dollars in losses.
The study points to increasingly sophisticated theft methods, including cyber fraud and digital deception. One high-profile case involved criminals impersonating company officials and spoofing GPS systems to steal a million-dollar shipment of tequila. Experts warn these tactics are now part of a broader, organized global enterprise that threatens supply chain security and raises costs for businesses and consumers.
ATRI recommends several strategies to address the crisis, such as creating stronger security cultures within carriers, enacting model state legislation with clear penalties, and establishing a centralized federal cargo theft reporting agency. Lawmakers are also considering the bipartisan Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, which would strengthen data sharing and enforcement to help combat these crimes.
The full ATRI report is available here.
