Visibility Is the New Front Line in Cargo Security
What is driving cargo theft growth
Cargo theft continues to rise across North America, with 2025 marking another year of sustained increases. Danny Ramon of Overhaul says the industry is no longer dealing with isolated theft crews. Today’s threat environment includes local opportunists, organized crime groups, and sophisticated transnational networks operating across multiple jurisdictions.
The result is a more complex risk landscape that extends far beyond traditional cargo theft.
What is deceptive pickup fraud
One of the fastest-growing threats involves deceptive pickups and double brokering schemes.
In many cases, a legitimate carrier arrives at the shipper, completes all required verification steps, and picks up the load. The problem occurs later when that freight is handed off to an unauthorized party through a double-brokering arrangement. Because the original pickup appeared legitimate, the fraud can remain hidden until the shipment is already gone.
This makes visibility throughout the shipment lifecycle increasingly important.
Where are the biggest vulnerabilities in the supply chain
According to Ramon, the greatest risk often exists at handoff points.
The two most critical moments are:
Initial pickup at the shipper
Repower or transfer locations where loads change hands
These transitions create opportunities for criminals to insert themselves into the process while appearing legitimate.
Why visibility matters more than ever
Visibility is no longer just about knowing where a shipment is located.
Modern supply chain security requires companies to understand how shipments are behaving and whether activity aligns with expected operating patterns. Monitoring compliance, identifying anomalies, and responding quickly to deviations can help stop theft before cargo disappears into the criminal ecosystem.
What should companies do in the next 30 days
Ramon recommends three priorities:
First, become more engaged with the supply chain security community and stay informed about emerging threats. Second, establish relationships with local law enforcement before an incident occurs. Third, improve shipment visibility so risks can be identified before they become losses.
As he puts it, companies cannot solve problems they cannot see.
What is the key takeaway
Cargo theft is becoming more sophisticated, more technology-enabled, and more difficult to detect through traditional methods alone.
Reducing risk increasingly depends on visibility, verification, and stronger coordination across the supply chain.
