Vehicle tracking systems have gone a long way to lessen the impact of commercial vehicle theft by substantially increasing the possibility of recovering a stolen vehicle in the event of it being hijacked or stolen. Unfortunately, in many cases, the thieves will have made off with the vehicle’s cargo before it can be recovered, or they may even escape with a trailer loaded with valuable stock.
Cargo theft can, undeniably, be one of the most costly events that could befall any business and it’s a problem that has existed ever since merchants began transporting their goods in bulk. Recent statistics show staggering losses that clearly reflect the damage that cargo theft can exact on an economy. In the EU alone, cargo theft is estimated to cost businesses more that €8.2 billion per year and in the US, losses have risen to $30 billion a year. Alarmingly, while some of these goods are stolen from shipping containers or warehouses, the vast majority of stolen cargo is taken from trucks. So what can businesses do to protect themselves from cargo theft and what resources are available to fleet management professionals?
Working in conjunction with a broad spectrum of concerned companies, including producers and manufacturers, logistics companies and freight insurers, the Transport Asset Protection Association (TAPA) is mobilising an ever-growing number of stakeholders in Europe, Africa and the Americas, using telematics to combat cargo theft. TAPA board member and transport specialist at Nike, Luc van Herck, explains that “by sharing information, establishing ever more stringent security standards and lobbying legislators and law enforcers, we aim to identify target areas where losses occur most frequently, share industry best practices to prevent further incidents, and gain official support.”
TAPA’s web based Incident Information Service (IIS) provides real time intelligence to its members by capturing and sharing data concerning the details of a cargo theft incident, so that other operators can better protect themselves from the potential threat. The system is based on Google Maps and is thus very easy to use. Drivers and fleet managers can use the information to avoid potentially dangerous areas.
If a vehicle is targeted by thieves, an early warning system provides the best chance of recovery. In addition to locks that prevent the separation of tractor and trailer, geofencing devices which trigger an alarm if a rig deviates from its predetermined route are gaining in popularity. Trailer tracking is essential, as this ensures that, even if thieves manage to separate the trailer from the tractor, it can be tracked independently and possibly recovered before the cargo is stolen. GPS-enabled track and trace devices are also becoming essential pieces of equipment for any safety conscious business.
Global Telematics is a fleet management company that keeps a finger on the pulse of technological advancements in the field. Contact us to find out how our innovative vehicle tracking products can help to make your cargo that much safer on the road.
