Cargo theft has been around for centuries; unfortunately, though the crime has evolved together with transportation methods. Bandits on horseback have been replaced by gangsters that are organized in international crime syndicates.
Cargo theft is a global problem affecting manufacturers, logistics providers as well as customers. It is a complex problem influenced by factors ranging from local laws to the global economy.
Jim Yarbrough, Global Intelligence Program Manager at the supply chain specialist BSI commented: “Companies have always faced a wide range of challenges to their supply chain, but [the] latest figures indicate how severe the impact of violent theft can be.
“These events are creating extreme levels of risk for organizations, both directly affecting the bottom line and disrupting the supply chain in ways which, if not tackled, could do serious harm to a company’s hard-earned reputation.”
BSI has recently published the latest Global Supply Chain Security and Business Continuity Risk Index, that highlights the current supply chain security and business continuity threats faced by organizations worldwide.
2015 BSI SCREEN Global Intelligence – Supply Chain Threats, Risks, and Trends
Stowaway Risk Increases in Southeastern Europe as Migrant Crisis Continues to Threaten Regional Business Continuity
The integrity of the transported goods can be negatively affected by the stowaway attempts which have been significantly increasing because of the migrant crisis. Migrants hiding inside of containers on trucks or railways increase security risks, negatively affect the timely movement of cross-border freight which results in increased shipping costs.
Continued Terrorism Threats Are Targeted Towards more and more industries in Europe and Globally
In 2015, 319 supply chain terrorism attacks were recorded by BSI. As the report states these attacks were reported in 33 countries that is 38% more than in previous years. Taking to consideration that the number of terrorists attacks on food, beverage and agriculture shipments has more than tripled while the number of attacks on pharma, metals, industrial and manufacturing cargo doubled since 2013, we can conclude that measures need to be taken to stop this deteriorating trend.
