Cargo crime on US freight railroads is a growing concern to industry stakeholders because it has become more sophisticated , organized and harder to combat in recent years , say railroads , trucking companies and shippers .

In the last two years , there has been a rise in targeted attacks in which specific containers on trains are breached .

“ Five years ago , it wasn ’ t a big enough issue to concern our executives ; we wouldn ’ t even talk about cargo theft ,” said one retailer shipper who asked not to be identified .

“ Five years ago , it wasn ’ t a big enough issue to concern our executives .”

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“ Now , with all the [ insurance ] claims happening , it ’ s on the radar screen of our executives , and we ’ re meeting with our asset protection division bi-weekly .”

The issue garnerd national attention in January 2022 , when criminals littered the tracks outside of Union Pacific Railroad ’ s ( UP ) Los Angeles Terminal Center with torn boxes and discarded cargo after ransacking containers .

Exporters have also been hit regularly over the last two years , namely agricultural shippers such as sausage company Johnsonville , which said that six of its 300 reefer containers were broken into last year .

The surge in rail break-ins coincides with rising theft and pilferage on the highways as well , with thieves www . joc . com June 17 , 2024 | Journal of Commerce 11

June 17, 2024 | Page 11

Cargo crime on US freight railroads is a growing concern to industry stakeholders because it has become more sophisticated , organized and harder to combat in recent years , say railroads , trucking companies and shippers .