The recent news-making theft of $1,500,000 worth of Porsche race cars and parts from a trailer highlights a critical issue facing our industry: cargo theft. According to CargoNet, the total estimated theft across the first half of 2024 exceeded $223 million. Worse, the domino-effect operational costs and potential threats to reputation with customers surpass the price of goods stolen. Even the smallest loss can make a big difference to a fleet running freight with slim margins.
Cargo theft isn’t just limited to theft at depots, truck stops, and parking lots. It has become highly sophisticated. Still setting their sights on high-value cargo, today’s organized criminals use fake paperwork, digitally altered documents, and fraud schemes to steal entire shipments.
To counter, it is crucial for fleets to become more proactive and surgical in how they monitor their cargo and assets. With the right technology, they can be well-prepared to mitigate the risk of theft.
Guarding Fleets with an Innovative Wall of Security
As the instances and complexities of cargo theft build, fleet managers can take several actionable steps to safeguard their assets:
- Install Tracking Devices: Equip trailers with to monitor locations effectively
- Utilize Door Sensors: Set up alerts for unauthorized access outside geofenced areas
- Monitor Telematics Data: Keep an eye on unusual activity, such as unexpected weight changes or movements
- Review Security Procedures: Regularly evaluate and enhance security measures at depots and truck stops to reduce theft opportunities
FleetPulse’s advanced trailer telematics solutions can help build a barrier and set you on the way to detecting and addressing threats and recovering assets. Here are a few FleetPulse solutions our customers rely on for proactive fleet security.
FleetPulseGO: Cargo View
FleetPulseGO: Cargo View is specifically designed to enhance cargo protection and condition monitoring. For both dry vans and reefers, Cargo View captures before-and-after images of the cargo as doors open and close, allowing for real-time monitoring of what is added or removed from the trailer. The system can be customized to determine the frequency of image capture and wirelessly connects to door sensors.
Key Features
- Before-and-After Images: Monitor cargo activity with photographic evidence
- Volumetric Monitoring: Calculate the percentage of space utilized inside trailers
- Efficiency Insights: Optimize trailer loads to enhance freight efficiency
Beyond theft prevention, Cargo View also helps fleets track underutilization, increasing productivity while keeping assets secure. And Cold Chain fleets that employ the Temperature Monitoring option have a new window into data to ensure reefer cargo maintains the required temperature throughout transit, helping to prevent spoilage, maintain product quality, and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
FleetPulsePRO
Our feature-rich FleetPulsePRO solution uses weight monitoring to determine if a trailer is loaded or unloaded by tracking the airbags on the bogie. Fleet managers can also set alerts based on VINs to notify them when a specific asset is in motion or a door opens outside of a geofenced area, helping to identify potential theft.
FleetPulseGO: Track
For fleets seeking a straightforward and cost-effective solution, FleetPulseGO: Track enables immediate asset tracking for enhanced fleet security. With a 7+ year battery life and customizable reporting intervals, it ensures that fleets always know the location of their assets. If a trailer is suspected to be lost or stolen, the Recovery Mode setting provides updates every five minutes until asset recovery.
“FleetPulse helped us gain total control over our fleet’s security. Before, we didn’t always know where our trailers were or if they were secure. Now, we don’t have to worry about missing cargo and the vandalism that were adding up in cost and becoming big disruptions to our delivery schedules.”
FleetPulse Customer, Director of Operations
Secure Your Fleet and Have Peace of Mind
Our dedicated team is ready to talk about a data-driven, yet simple pathway to safeguarding your trailer assets and everything you haul. Reach out to talk with a FleetPulse expert and/or request a 1:1 demonstration.
