Cargo theft is a major concern for an overwhelming majority of supply chain professionals, far higher than terrorism, according to the annual supply chain survey by FreightWatch International, a global logistics security solutions provider.


Cargo theft was rated the top concern for supply chain risk over the next five years, as stated by supply chain professionals during the 2011 FreightWatch supply chain survey. Over 80 percent of all respondents stated that cargo theft was a major concern for supply chain operations over the next five years, surpassing terrorism, which only 11 percent of respondents listed as a major concern.

In addition, 74 percent of all respondents stated that cargo theft had a major or moderate effect on their supply chain operations.

The survey comprised all levels of management from manufacturing, third party logistics, transportation providers, insurance companies and others.

While the rate of cargo theft has grown every year since FreightWatch began collecting data in 2006, specific industries have seen fluctuations in both rates of theft and average loss values.

When asked about the key drivers for change in cargo theft over the past five years, the top three
responses were:
* Increased value of shipments
* Cargo theft is a low risk and high reward crime
* Economic conditions

For a copy of the report, contact Dan Burges at dan.burges@freightwatchintl.com.