Logistics is more than just an economic and technological challenge. It involves people. Every day, human tragedies unfold in logistics, but people also experience small and large successes - overcoming difficulties, challenges, obstacles, crises, and risks.
In hazardous goods logistics, these emotional factors are amplified even further, as the risks and challenges are significantly greater. Today, I want to highlight one of the often-overlooked risks: cargo theft. This is not just about economic risks or the loss of goods during transport. Real tragedies occur for the transporters. The stress and trauma experienced during and after an attack are immense, as told by two drivers in an interview. They were victims of truck hijackings and are still suffering from the psychological impact.
The task of connecting the world through the movement of goods and materials faces unpredictable challenges every day. That is nothing new. But today, I want to talk about a problem that originates in the darkest aspects of human behavior and thinking: cargo theft.
Cargo theft is committed by individuals seeking personal gain, acting outside the boundaries of rules, respect, and empathy. They disregard the law and the rights of others, indifferent to the consequences of their actions.
Despite living in an era of constant information flow, where news reaches us instantly through digital media and social networks, cargo theft and its methods are primarily discussed in closed circles. Truck hijackings and freight train robberies rarely make headlines. However, in reality, the economic damage is substantial, the health consequences for drivers are severe, and the environmental risks - especially when hazardous goods are involved - are significant.
Rising Cargo Thefts in the U.S.
While cargo theft is most commonly associated with emerging or developing countries, highly developed economies are also affected. According to Overhaul’s United States Fall 2024 Cargo Theft Report, the number of cargo thefts in the U.S. has increased year over year. In 2024, Overhaul recorded 2,217 cargo thefts in the United States, marking a 49% increase in volume and a 17% increase in average value when compared to 2023. In Canada, 85% of all thefts took place in Ontario, and Theft of Full Truckload remained the most popular method, comprising 64% of total thefts. Electronics was once again the most targeted product type in both countries, making up 24% of all thefts in the US and 31% of those across Canada.
Cargo theft in the United States continues to show higher incidence near freight hubs and large cities, leading to hot spots in states such as California (32%) and Texas (19%), which ranked 1st and 2nd in terms of cargo theft risk. Electronics (24%) were especially at risk, followed by Miscellaneous (15%), Home & Garden (10), and Food & Drink (10%). In 2025, cargo theft events in the United States are expected to show a major increase from 2,217 to 2,705. These numbers show definitively that cargo theft is an ongoing risk that must be taken seriously, and the range of affected industries and times in which an attack may occur highlight how important it is to have the right tools and technology to keep your shipments safe.
By dividing the country into quadrants as seen in the map to the right, it was identified that 30% of recorded cargo thefts occurred in Quadrant 3 (C3), which includes known cargo theft hot spots such as Los Angeles, Bakersfield, and San Bernardino. C3 theft volumes decreased 20 percentage points in 2024, whereas Quadrant 4 (C4) recorded a 12% increase versus 2023. This increase is explained by the rise in theft volume across Memphis, Dallas, and Atlanta. Quadrant 1 (C1) recorded 20% of all thefts in the country, and Quadrant 2 (C2) only recorded 6% of all cargo theft events in 2024.
Source: United States & Canada: Annual Cargo Theft Report 2024
Cargo Theft – A Global Phenomenon
It is important to recognize that these incidents are not isolated to specific regions. While North and South America top the list for cargo theft incidents, Europe is also affected.
According to the April 2024 report by BSI and TT Club on 2023 cargo thefts, the countries with the highest number of recorded thefts are:
- Mexico
- United States
- Brazil
- Germany
- India
- Italy
- South Africa
- Argentina
In Europe, cargo theft is increasingly carried out by fraudulent pickups, organized cargo theft gangs, and slash-and-grab criminals. However, when considering cargo theft in proportion to the total volume of transported goods, the rate remains relatively low.
Cargo Theft Occurs Primarily on Land
While maritime piracy, such as Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea, dominates global headlines, cargo theft overwhelmingly occurs on land - accounting for an estimated 73% of global cargo theft incidents.
In Europe, the level of violence in cargo theft cases is relatively low compared to countries like Mexico or Brazil, where drivers risk their lives daily just to transport goods from point A to point B.
I want to draw attention to this urgent and concerning issue in global freight logistics, which threatens thousands of transporters worldwide. Let’s take Mexico as an example:
According to Overhaul’s Mèxico Annual Cargo Theft Report 2024, the number of cargo thefts in Mexico has increased year over year in a very high level of numbers.
- 80% of these thefts involved high levels of violence.
- In 2024, 87% of the cargo thefts registered nationwide were concentrated in ten states. 45% of the incidence occurred in the States of Puebla (23%) and Mexico (22%). The States of Puebla, Jalisco, Hidalgo, and Tlaxcala showed increases compared to 2023. Puebla increased by two percentage points, while Jalisco, Hidalgo, and Tlaxcala increased by one percentage point each. Thefts in the State of Mexico decreased by five percentage points, making it the entity with the second highest number of cargo thefts after the State of Puebla. The most affected sectors include:
- Food & Beverages (46%)
- Construction Materials (14%)
- Pharmaceuticals (7%)
- Automotive Industry (7%)
- Chemical Industry (6%)
- The theft of Chemicals increased by three percentage points, with polyethylene, plastics, and detergents being the main targets of offenders
Source: México: Reporte Anual 2024 de Robo de Transporte de Carga
Hazardous Goods Are Also Targeted
Worldwide, food and beverages are the most stolen goods, but 10% of all stolen cargo consists of electronics, followed by fuel, metals, vehicles, and vehicle parts. Approximately one-third of stolen goods include hazardous or dangerous materials, such as batteries, chemicals, and fuels.
Source: BSI and TT Club 2023 Cargo Theft Report, April 2024
Most of these thefts occur from trucks, with nearly one in four thefts happening directly at manufacturing sites.
Source: BSI and TT Club 2023 Cargo Theft Report, April 2024
Drivers Suffer the Most
Of course, every cargo theft represents a financial loss for the cargo owner. However, many stolen goods—such as batteries and chemicals—can also cause environmental and life-threatening hazards if damaged during a heist.
But the most immediate and severe impact is felt by the drivers themselves.
- What does a driver experience during a robbery?
- What questions are they asked?
- How does their life change after such a traumatic event?
- How do criminals treat the drivers?
To gain insight into the reality of cargo theft from those directly affected, we interviewed two drivers who have survived truck hijackings. The interviews were conducted in Spanish and include English subtitles.
13 Tips for Preventing Cargo Theft
When discussing modern logistics, we often focus on digitalization, AI, security technologies, and sustainability. But at the heart of logistics are people—employees, drivers, and customers.
When addressing cargo theft, our first concern should be the drivers: How are they? Only after that should we ask: Where is the cargo? Where is the container?
Here are 13 essential recommendations for shippers and transport companies based on years of experience in high-security logistics operations:
- Assess cargo theft risks in the destination country or region when planning logistics.
- Understand your Incoterms responsibilities in case of cargo theft—insurance policies, trade value, and delivery importance matter.
- Have a contingency plan to maintain business operations in case of cargo theft.
- If theft risks are high, ensure your logistics provider has a local presence for effective communication with authorities.
- Establish prevention and response protocols with your logistics provider in advance.
- Limit access to sensitive cargo information.
- Use security technologies (active surveillance, GPS tracking, etc.) for deterrence and rapid response.
- Adopt operational security measures (e.g., avoid night-time transport, use multiple transport companies, change routes).
- Report thefts to authorities and insurance providers immediately.
- Activate emergency response protocols within 30 minutes—this is the critical window for cargo recovery.
- Review your company’s cargo insurance policy to ensure theft coverage.
- Engage security experts for emergency support and guidance.
- Never risk lives for cargo. Cargo can be recovered—human lives cannot.
By taking proactive measures, we can enhance security, protect drivers, and reduce cargo theft risks worldwide.
