A single cargo trailer vanishing from a California parking lot might seem like an isolated crime, but it's just one incident in a global crisis, where staggering statistics—like the 57% surge in U.S. cargo theft last year alone—reveal an alarming trend that is destabilizing supply chains and costing businesses billions.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the United States experienced 1,786 reported cargo theft incidents, a 57% increase from 1,135 in 2021.
- Globally, cargo theft incidents rose by 15% in 2023 compared to 2022, totaling over 25,000 reported cases worldwide.
- In the first half of 2023, cargo thefts in Europe increased by 24% year-over-year, with 4,200 incidents logged.
- The total value of stolen cargo in the US reached $496 million in 2022.
- Global cargo theft losses exceeded $30 billion annually as of 2023 estimates.
- In Europe, cargo theft cost insurers €1.5 billion in 2022.
- Electronics accounted for 22% of all US cargo thefts by volume in 2022.
- Beverages were the most stolen commodity in the US in 2022, with 312 incidents.
- Consumer electronics topped Europe's stolen cargo list, 28% of incidents in 2022.
- Theft from trailers accounted for 58% of US cargo thefts in 2022.
- Globally, fictitious pickups represented 22% of cargo theft techniques in 2023.
- In Europe, burglaries at truck stops made up 35% of incidents in 2022.
- California led US cargo theft hotspots with 25% of national incidents in 2022.
- Globally, Europe accounted for 40% of reported cargo thefts in 2023.
- Mexico City metro area saw 4,200 theft attempts in 2022.
Cargo theft is skyrocketing worldwide with immense financial losses.
Economic Impact
- The total value of stolen cargo in the US reached $496 million in 2022.
- Global cargo theft losses exceeded $30 billion annually as of 2023 estimates.
- In Europe, cargo theft cost insurers €1.5 billion in 2022.
- Mexico's cargo theft resulted in $400 million losses in 2022.
- Average value per US cargo theft incident was $278,000 in 2022.
- California's cargo theft losses totaled $152 million in 2022.
- Worldwide supply chain theft inflated insurance premiums by 12% in 2023.
- Texas cargo theft economic impact was $98 million in 2022.
- France's cargo theft claims hit €250 million in 2022.
- UK cargo theft cost businesses £120 million in 2023.
- Brazil lost $150 million to cargo theft in 2023.
- High-value thefts over $1 million each accounted for 8% of US incidents but 45% of losses in 2022.
- Illinois cargo theft losses reached $65 million in 2022.
- Spain's cargo theft economic damage was €180 million in 2022.
- US companies faced $200 million in recovery costs beyond stolen value in 2022.
- Canada cargo theft losses totaled CAD 120 million in 2022.
- Germany's cargo theft claims exceeded €300 million in 2023.
- Florida's cargo theft financial hit was $42 million in 2022.
- Australia reported AUD 85 million in cargo theft losses for 2023.
- Atlanta area losses from cargo theft were $38 million in 2022.
- Italy's cargo theft cost €450 million in 2023.
- Pennsylvania cargo theft losses: $32 million in 2022.
- South Africa's cargo hijackings caused ZAR 2.5 billion losses in 2023.
- Ohio losses from cargo theft: $28 million in 2022.
- Netherlands cargo theft claims: €140 million in 2022.
- New Jersey losses: $24 million in 2022.
- Belgium's economic impact from cargo theft: €110 million in 2023.
- Georgia (US) cargo theft losses: $22 million in 2022.
- Poland cargo theft damages: €220 million in 2023.
Economic Impact Interpretation
It seems the world's most reliable delivery service is a thriving, global black market, pilfering over $30 billion worth of goods annually and leaving everyone else to foot the increasingly expensive bill.
Incidence Rates
- In 2022, the United States experienced 1,786 reported cargo theft incidents, a 57% increase from 1,135 in 2021.
- Globally, cargo theft incidents rose by 15% in 2023 compared to 2022, totaling over 25,000 reported cases worldwide.
- In the first half of 2023, cargo thefts in Europe increased by 24% year-over-year, with 4,200 incidents logged.
- Mexico reported 12,000 cargo theft attempts in 2022, with 3,500 successful thefts.
- California saw 452 cargo thefts in 2022, accounting for 25% of all US incidents.
- Between 2019 and 2022, US cargo theft incidents surged 120% from pre-pandemic levels.
- In Q4 2022, cargo thefts in the US hit a quarterly record of 512 incidents.
- France recorded 1,200 cargo thefts in 2022, up 18% from 2021.
- The UK saw 20,000 tonnes of cargo stolen in 2023, equivalent to 8,500 incidents.
- Brazil experienced 15% growth in cargo thefts in 2023, with 2,100 major incidents.
- Texas reported 312 cargo thefts in 2022, second highest in the US.
- During 2020-2023, global port thefts increased by 30%, with 1,200 cases at major hubs.
- Illinois had 198 cargo theft incidents in 2022, up 40% from 2021.
- Spain logged 950 cargo thefts in 2022, a 22% rise.
- In 2023, US holiday season cargo thefts jumped 35%, with 289 incidents in November-December.
- Canada reported 450 cargo thefts in 2022, primarily in Ontario and BC.
- Germany saw 1,500 cargo theft attempts in 2023, with 65% success rate.
- Florida had 156 cargo thefts in 2022, focusing on interstates.
- Australia recorded 320 cargo thefts in 2023, up 12%.
- In 2022, Atlanta metro area had 120 cargo thefts, highest in Southeast US.
- Italy reported 2,800 cargo thefts in 2023, leading Europe.
- Pennsylvania saw 112 cargo thefts in 2022.
- South Africa had 900 cargo hijackings in 2023.
- Ohio reported 98 cargo thefts in 2022.
- Netherlands logged 750 cargo thefts in 2022.
- New Jersey had 85 cargo thefts in 2022.
- Belgium saw 620 cargo thefts in 2023.
- Georgia (US) recorded 76 cargo thefts in 2022.
- Poland reported 1,100 cargo thefts in 2023.
- Nevada had 42 cargo thefts in 2022.
Incidence Rates Interpretation
It appears the global economy is running a perilous side-business where everyone’s supply chain is also everyone’s shopping list.
Regional Statistics
- California led US cargo theft hotspots with 25% of national incidents in 2022.
- Globally, Europe accounted for 40% of reported cargo thefts in 2023.
- Mexico City metro area saw 4,200 theft attempts in 2022.
- Texas ranked second in US with 18% of thefts in 2022.
- Ile-de-France (Paris) had 35% of France's cargo thefts in 2022.
- Southeast England dominated UK thefts with 28% in 2023.
- Sao Paulo state reported 1,200 cargo thefts in Brazil 2023.
- Chicago area (Illinois) 11% of US thefts in 2022.
- Catalonia (Spain) 40% of national cargo thefts in 2022.
- Greater Toronto Area 45% of Canada's thefts in 2022.
- North Rhine-Westphalia 32% of Germany's 2023 thefts.
- Florida's Miami-Dade county 22% state thefts in 2022.
- New South Wales 55% of Australia's cargo thefts 2023.
- Atlanta, GA metro 7% of US total in 2022.
- Lombardy (Italy) 38% of national thefts in 2023.
- Pennsylvania's Philadelphia area 65% state thefts 2022.
- Gauteng province 70% of South Africa thefts 2023.
- Ohio's Columbus-Dallas combined 6% US in 2022.
- Randstad (Netherlands) 50% of thefts in 2022.
- New Jersey's Newark port area 75% state incidents 2022.
- Flanders (Belgium) 60% national cargo thefts 2023.
- Georgia's Savannah port region 40% state thefts 2022.
- Mazovia (Poland) 45% of 2023 thefts.
- Nevada's Las Vegas area 80% state cargo thefts 2022.
Regional Statistics Interpretation
It seems the world's cargo thieves have a peculiar fondness for urban landmarks and major ports, as if they're collectively following a well-thumbed travel guide to the most efficient places to commit grand larceny.
Targeted Commodities
- Electronics accounted for 22% of all US cargo thefts by volume in 2022.
- Beverages were the most stolen commodity in the US in 2022, with 312 incidents.
- Consumer electronics topped Europe's stolen cargo list, 28% of incidents in 2022.
- In Mexico, copper and metals made up 35% of stolen cargo value in 2022.
- Food and beverages represented 18% of California's cargo thefts in 2022.
- Pharmaceuticals were stolen in 12% of US high-value incidents in 2022.
- Texas saw 45% of thefts involving beverages and household goods in 2022.
- France's top stolen item: alcohol and tobacco, 25% of cases in 2022.
- UK thefts targeted electronics 19% and metals 15% in 2023.
- Brazil's most stolen: electronics and auto parts, 40% combined in 2023.
- Illinois thefts: 30% beverages in 2022.
- Spain favored high-end fashion and electronics, 32% in 2022.
- Canada: seafood and meat products 22% of thefts in 2022.
- Germany: non-ferrous metals 27% of cargo thefts in 2023.
- Florida: electronics 25% of incidents in 2022.
- Australia: alcohol beverages 20% in 2023.
- Atlanta: household goods and tools 28% in 2022.
- Italy: clothing and luxury goods 35% in 2023.
- Pennsylvania: beverages 26% in 2022.
- South Africa: cigarettes and electronics 42% in 2023.
- Ohio: electronics 24% in 2022.
- Netherlands: dairy products 18% in 2022.
- New Jersey: pharmaceuticals 15% in 2022.
- Belgium: meat and poultry 21% in 2023.
- Georgia (US): auto parts 19% in 2022.
- Poland: alcohol 29% in 2023.
Targeted Commodities Interpretation
It seems the global black market has a shockingly refined palate, carefully curating its shopping list from our high-value supply chains to stock a bizarre, high-stakes bazaar of booze, gadgets, and gourmet meats.
Theft Methods
- Theft from trailers accounted for 58% of US cargo thefts in 2022.
- Globally, fictitious pickups represented 22% of cargo theft techniques in 2023.
- In Europe, burglaries at truck stops made up 35% of incidents in 2022.
- Mexico used armed hijackings in 45% of 2022 cargo thefts.
- California: parking lot thefts 62% in 2022.
- US dock thefts increased to 12% of total incidents in 2022.
- Texas: straight theft from trailers 55% in 2022.
- France: theft from unattended vehicles 40% in 2022.
- UK: insider-assisted thefts 18% in 2023.
- Brazil: robbery with violence 52% in 2023.
- Illinois: service station thefts 48% in 2022.
- Spain: fictitious companies used in 25% of 2022 thefts.
- Canada: warehouse burglaries 15% in 2022.
- Germany: theft during transport 38% in 2023.
- Florida: rest area thefts 50% in 2022.
- Australia: cyber-enabled fraud 10% of thefts in 2023.
- Atlanta: drop yard thefts 42% in 2022.
- Italy: organized gang burglaries 44% in 2023.
- Pennsylvania: carrier yard thefts 39% in 2022.
- South Africa: hijackings at gunpoint 60% in 2023.
- Ohio: public storage thefts 36% in 2022.
- Netherlands: seal manipulations 20% in 2022.
- New Jersey: port terminal thefts 14% in 2022.
- Belgium: driver collusion 16% in 2023.
- Georgia (US): interstate pullovers 41% in 2022.
- Poland: pallet thefts 23% in 2023.
Theft Methods Interpretation
These statistics reveal a grim global tapestry of cargo theft where the method is often as distinctive as the locale, from California's lazy parking lots to South Africa's brazen hijackings, proving that while opportunity makes the thief, geography writes the script.
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