IUMI calls for action to prevent cargo theft

Reacting to an alarming increase in cargo thefts globally, the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) has called for the introduction of a range of measures to help reverse this worrying trend.

In a position paper published at the IUMI conference in Berlin, the association points out that cargo theft is no longer confined to high-value goods and that online trading platforms are encouraging the crime.

Håkan Nyström, a member of IUMI’s political forum and the presenter of the position paper at the conference said: “There is a market for any kind of stolen goods and online platforms are making it easy to trade these products openly. The impact on the economy is huge.

“Back in 2008 the EU estimated the annual economic damage to Europe was €8.2 billion ($9.3 billion). This figure must be vastly increased today. Comparable numbers are not available for Africa, the Americas or Asia but we believe these regions are suffering in the same way.”

Although IUMI applauds the preventive measures implemented already—including the security standards being promoted by the worldwide Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA)—the organisation wants more action.

Specifically, it has called for relevant national authorities to develop and share an overview of cargo theft in their country; improved law enforcement through transnational coordination and cooperation between countries and national police forces; the creation of special police units and specialised departments to deal with cargo crime; better monitoring of online platforms trading stolen cargo; increased police presence in public traffic areas; and the creation of a network of high-security truck parks.

“We believe that many of these crimes are highly organised, with goods being stolen to order,” said Nyström. “We recognise that resources are always limited, but introducing this package of measures would, in our view, significantly reduce cargo theft; enable marine and transport insurers to deliver an optimum service; and improve the business of global trade.”