Cargo Theft Dominates SC Agenda

Cargo theft is big business. The Federal Bureau of Investigation estimates that $6 billion in goods is stolen from trucks, trains, ships and planes each year.

Fighting cargo theft, preventing damage to freight and coping with these problems are on the agenda of the Transportation Loss Prevention & Security Council’s annual meeting April 11 to 14 in Atlanta.

“Our biggest problem with cargo theft is a lack of awareness that the problem exists,” said Gail Toth, the council’s executive director.

Her organization was started in 1932 as the National Freight Claims Council. It merged with American Trucking Associations’ Security Council in the 1980s and took its current name several years ago.

“Our role has taken on new dimensions in recent years,” Toth said. “Based on the claims data, how can we keep similar events from happening in the future?”

The council’s 350 members handle loss prevention and security issues for trucking companies.

ith cargo theft on the increase, 200 people are expected to attend the annual meeting to talk about how to stem the tide.

Truck drivers and truck stop operators will offer their perspectives on how to reduce cargo theft, while attorneys will give advice on fighting liability claims. Shippers and insurers will discuss areas of common concern with trucking.

Law enforcement officers from across the country will discuss trends, and the council’s Transportation Security Coalition will look at systems set up by law enforcement agencies in New Jersey and Florida to share data on cargo theft.