Feature, Logistics

TAPA launches new standards to combat cargo crime wave

[ June 13, 2014   //   Chris ]

The Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) has launched what is says is the most comprehensive supply chain security standards for facilities and trucking in its 17-year history, to combat increasingly sophisticated thefts by organised criminal gangs.

The new 2014 versions of the Association’s Facility Security Requirements (FSR) and Trucking Security Requirements (TSR) are the result of a year-long review process by the 800 TAPA members worldwide.

Cargo crime is no longer petty, opportunist theft carried out by individuals. Today it is co-ordinated by organised and often violent international gangs who hijack vehiclesor who carry out fraudulent pick-ups, fake ‘police’ stops, bogus personnel, slash open trailer curtains or attack moving vehicles.

Paul Linders, who leads TAPA’s global standards committee, said: ”Cargo crime as a whole is increasing and one of the biggest challenges we face is getting businesses and law enforcement agencies to report loss data to help us understand the true scale of the problem and to provide intelligence that helps companies plan their supply chains using the latest market information. At TAPA, our analysis tells us that losses suffered by our members are three times lower than the industry average, although that leaves absolutely no room for complacency. The cost of a single loss can be between 4-11 times its original value, hence the TAPA standards can significantly contribute to measurable supply chain risk management.”

Cargo crime figures for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region for 2013 showed a 66% increase in incidents reported to TAPA’s Incident Information Service (IIS), with an average loss figure for the 1,145 recorded crimes of €235,000. The loss value of the 10 biggest cargo crimes in the region last year was over €55 million.

In the first quarter of 2014, TAPA Americas’ Incident Information Service (IIS) recorded a total of 196 thefts in the United States.

The largest single crime was the theft of a truckload of cowboy boots stolen from Carrolton, Texas, which had a declared value of $2.2 million.

TAPA APAC recorded 215 cargo theft incidents throughout Asia in 2013, a slight drop from the 2012 record high of 228. Of the 215 cargo thefts, 49% were hijackings, while 20% were thefts of loads from trailers.

Clothing, footwear and metal products accounted for 56% of the recorded IIS incidents in 2013.

 

Tags: TAPA