IUMI: Stronger measures needed to prevent cargo theft

Global cargo thefts are increasing at an “alarming” rate and are no longer limited to high-value goods, according to the International Union of Marine Insurance.    The International Union of Marine Insurance is urging the shipping industry to enact a number of measures it says will help prevent cargo theft.
   According to a recent position paper published at the association’s conference in Berlin, theft of cargo carried by road is increasing at an “alarming” rate and is no longer limited to high-value goods. IUMI also said in the report that online trading platforms are encouraging cargo theft.
   “There is a market for any kind of stolen goods and online platforms are making it easy to trade these products openly,” said Håkan Nyström, a member of IUMI’s Political Forum, in presenting the paper. “The impact on the economy is huge. Back in 2008 the EU estimated the annual economic damage to Europe was EUR 8.2 billion and this figure must be vastly increased today. Comparable numbers are not available for Africa, Americas or Asia but we believe these regions are suffering in the same way”.
   IUMI said that while current preventative measures, including the Freight Security Requirements and Truck Security Requirements promoted by the Transport Asset Protection Association, are working, more can be done to combat cargo theft.
   Recommendations in the report included the development of cargo theft information sharing programs by relevant national authorities, and improving law enforcement through transnational coordination and cooperation between countries and national police forces. “Based on this, they should initiate a dialogue with local insurers and other stakeholders to identify initiatives to deal with crime hotspots,” said IUMI.
   “Cargo crime is encouraged by a low risk of detection and limited law enforcement capabilities to stop the perpetrators,” it added. “The imposed punishments are not sufficiently deterrent, especially when compared to the potential ‘profits’ gained from the thefts. A number of initiatives such as ‘Operation Grafton’ in the UK, the ‘fight against transport crime in the Netherlands’ and the 2012 initiative in Colombia have proven successful. It is important to maintain and encourage similar initiatives, and communicate their results, methods and best practices.”
   The association also recommended creating special police units and departments of public prosecution to deal with cargo crime; giving special attention to online platforms trading stolen cargo and cyber fraud pertaining to electronic bills of lading and permits; increasing police presence in public traffic areas; and creating a network of high-security truck parks.
   “We believe that many of these crimes are highly organized with goods being stolen to order,” said Nyström. “We recognize that resources are always limited, but introducing this package of measures would, in our view, significantly reduce cargo theft; enable marine and transport insurers to deliver an optimum service; and improve the business of global trade.”
   The International Union of Marine Insurance is a non-profit association aimed at protecting and advancing insurers’ interests in all types of transport and cargo insurance.