Cargo theft prevention taskforce set up in China

Cargo theft prevention taskforce set up in China    The Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) of Asia said Thursday it has formed an anti-cargo crime taskforce for China.
   TAPA Asia hosted a security workshop with manufacturers, law enforcement agencies and transport and logistics providers in Shanghai this week before launching the taskforce.
   'The steering committee of the newly formed (taskforce) aims to raise the level of cooperation with Chinese authorities in order to achieve a safer and more secure supply chain environment,' TAPA said in a statement. 'The cost of global cargo theft is conservatively estimated to be $15 billion to $30 billion a year. Adding the cost of investigating these incidents, processing insurance paperwork and paying claims takes the actual annual business impact of cargo crime to a potential $60 billion. High-tech products, such as cell phones, MP4 players, chips, laptop and memory sticks, continue to be favorite crime targets.'
   Participants at the security workshop discussed the importance of cooperation between the industry and police authorities, the importance of risk assessment and intelligence sharing, timely reporting of all cargo theft to the police, and measures for manufacturers and their logistics providers to reduce the vulnerability of cargo to theft.
   “Having brought both the manufacturers and freight services providers together to set up global security standards for warehousing, trucking, and air cargo transit stops at airport, it is timely to move forward and join forces with local authorities in the fight against cargo crime,' said Jason Teo, chairman of TAPA Asia. 'Local enforcement agencies need the support of the industry players, and vice versa, to reduce cargo crime and make China a safe haven for cargo transit.”