Average Cargo Theft Value Increases
While the number of incidents of cargo thefts in the U.S. declined in the first quarter of the year from the same time in 2014, the average value of each heist jumped 25%, according to the logistics security services provider FreightWatch International.

The darkest areas show where cargo theft activity is the highest. Credit: FWI

While the number of incidents of cargo thefts in the U.S. declined in the first quarter of the year from the same time in 2014, the average value of each heist jumped 25%, according to the logistics security services provider FreightWatch International.
It recorded a total of 191 incidents, a 14% drop from a year earlier, however, the average loss value per incident was nearly $257,000.
“This is a continuation of the trend identified by the FWI in the third quarter of last year of a large rise in average loss value indicating that organized cargo thieves are targeting more lucrative shipments while many carriers continue to improve the security of their supply chain,” FreightWatch said in its report.
Compared to the final quarter of last year there was a 1% increase in total thefts and a 26% increase in the average loss value per incident.
Food and drinks continued to be the most stolen product type in the first quarter with 31% of total cargo thefts in the U.S. during this time.
The electronics category was the second most stolen product type with 14% of the total, primarily consisting of the perennial favorites such as televisions and displays, as well as items in the software, components and peripherals categories. Home and garden finished third with 12% of the total.
FreightWatch said in a surprise turn, New Jersey was the state with the most reported thefts in the first quarter of the year, despite typically being fifth through ninth in state rankings. It recorded 19% of the country’s total thefts, an increase of 386% and 84%, respectively, from the final quarter of 2014 and the first quarter of last year. Food and drinks accounted for 49% of thefts in New Jersey during this most recent quarter
Despite registering a theft rate lower than both comparative quarters, Florida was the second most active state in the first quarter.
“This is a result of the recent and persistent drop in theft volumes within the state of California,” said FreightWatch. “Likely a result of several factors, not the least of which is the continued West Coast port slowdown, [causing] the volume of freight in the state to drop. Additionally, due to the long delays experienced at the ports, the freight that is unloaded at the docks is less likely to be at rest for a significant amount of time before it is shipped to its final destination.”
Another interesting note is Arkansas making its first appearance in the top ten states by earning 78% of its average annual total in just the first quarter of the year.
The most prevalent location for large-scale cargo thefts continues to be unsecured parking, identified in 91% of reported incidents. Of these thefts, 21% occurred at truck stops. Thefts from warehouse or distribution location types came in second with 5% of thefts, while secured parking areas accounted for 4% of thefts this quarter.
Following previous trends, incidents involving theft of full truckload were most common during the first quarter, with 80% of all reported thefts. Pilferage, a theft type that is used by organized cargo thieves and street-level criminals alike, accounted for 12% of total thefts this quarter. This is a rise in the typical level of pilferage.
More Fleet Management

How Innovative Trucking Leaders Turn Change Into an Advantage
As the pace of change accelerates in trucking, the fleets that adapt best have more than the latest technology. They have cultures that embrace improvement.
Read More →
Freight Broker Bonds Just Got Harder to Get. Here's What That Means for Your Fleet.
When it gets harder for a freight broker to prove they are financially sound, the ones who cannot clear that bar get pushed out of the market. And those are exactly the brokers who used to leave motor carriers holding the bag.
Read More →
Long-Awaited Canadian Border Bridge to Open in Detroit
For trucking, the bridge opening should offer immediate improvements in efficiency and reliability, with new customs facilities, expanded inspection capacity, and direct freeway-to-freeway connections.
Read More →
Aurora Rolls Out Next Generation of Driverless Trucks for Commercial Freight
Aurora's latest autonomous trucks it's rolling out with International feature lower-cost hardware designed for a million miles as the company expands commercial driverless freight operations across the U.S. Sun Belt.
Read More →
Freight Tonnage Down, Rates up, as Lower Capacity Powers Trucking Recovery
The recovery from the freight recession continues to be driven by reduction in capacity rather than by increased demand.
Read More →
Think Your Trucking Fleet Isn't Using Much AI? Think Again
Shadow AI — the use of unauthorized artificial intelligence tools at work — is becoming increasingly common, putting sensitive company data at risk. Learn how trucking fleets can protect sensitive data while embracing AI.
Read More →
ArcBest Consolidates Brands, Cuts Workforce
The company will bring three business units under the ArcBest brand, eliminate about 2% of positions, and expects the changes to generate $40 million in annual savings.
Read More →
Trucking Fleets Faced Record Operating Costs During Third Year of Freight Recession
ATRI's annual operational cost report shows carriers trimmed fleets, delayed equipment purchases, and ran older trucks as expenses continued to outpace freight rates.
Read More →
Michelin Adds AI Assistant to MyConnectedFleet Platform
Michelin’s new generative AI tool delivers instant fleet insights, helping managers analyze fuel use, tire maintenance, vehicle status, and operational performance without manually creating reports.
Read More →
LytxOne Platform Now Features AI, Compliance, and Asset Tracking Tools
New enhancements add AI-powered insights, asset tracking, compliance automation, and configurable privacy controls to Lytx's all-in-one fleet management platform.
Read More →
