Cargo theft in 2012 up in Europe, flat in U.S.

   Cargo theft in North America stayed flat, year over year, in 2012 as European theft rates rose by 24 percent, according to FreightWatch International.
   Cargo theft in Asia also increased.
   According to the company, however, the greatest theft threats still exist in Brazil, Mexico and South Africa. Last year, about 6,800 thefts were reported in Sao Paulo, and more than 6,000 Mexican thefts occurred in 2012.
   Pharmaceutical thefts are on the rise in Europe, and Asian theft was concentrated on food and drink products, although the increasing demand for high-value goods has led to an uptick in crime. In the United States, food and beverage theft accounted for 19 percent of goods stolen.
   Modal theft trends differ around the world, but Mexico tops the list for truck thefts, with 83 percent of thefts being derived from truck hijackings in 2012.
   “As global cargo theft incidents increase, the cargo theft risk that shippers face must be actively managed,” FreightWatch’s Ron Greene said in a statement. “Understanding global and local risks can help shippers take proactive measures to keep in-transit cargo secure.” – Jon Ross