Crime in intermodal transport grows
Due to growing climate issues and increasing driver shortages, shippers are increasingly opting for intermodal transport. The total volume increased by more than 50 per cent between 2009 and 2021. Almost one-fifth of all goods transported within the EU go via a combination of truck and train. Trains are getting longer and longer. And because the number of kilometres of track is growing slower than the volume transported, congestion is increasing. Resulting in long queues of waiting wagons.
Intruders white paper
Then it is almost inevitable that crime in intermodal transport is also on the rise. But figures and facts are lacking. And with them, the ability to effectively reduce crime in intermodal transport. To gain more insight, we have created a whitepaper on crime in intermodal transport. With this whitepaper, you will better understand what intermodal transport means, what happens on the road, where the challenges are and what you can do to prevent crime in intermodal transport. The whitepaper also includes 4 case studies with practical tips.
"This white paper is a valuable document for every shipper and carrier who wants to prevent crime in intermodal transport."
Key findings
Behind most crimes is international organised crime
There are two factors that play into the hands of criminals. First, most transport companies are engaged in damage control rather than crime control. And due to the international nature of operations, transport criminals remain under the radar of investigating authorities.
A comprehensive European approach is lacking
Nationwide, there are many initiatives to combat crime in intermodal transport, but a comprehensive European approach is lacking. And as long as the transport industry itself is not more transparent about what happens during the journey, there will be no integrated approach either. Carriers can report cargo theft more often or report it via TAPA intelligent system (TIS).
Carriers are the weakest link in the transport chain
Squeezed fare prices and short-term contracts stand in the way of action. Their financial position also makes them susceptible to criminal influences. For shippers, it is often a matter of calculating which costs the least: securing or taking your losses and moving on in the chain.
Shippers in high value transport find that security helps!
Criminals are more likely to leave a container or trailer that is well secured. High-value goods, such as excisable goods, are transported intermodally in well-secured units. In contrast, mobile phones usually go via road transport. Medium value goods like televisions often just go in a tarpaulin trailer.
The biggest problem was always in the pre- and post-transport.
Carriers in intermodal transport now solve that with certified drivers, who travel to their destinations under a tight protocol with secure trailers, via secure car parks.
The safety of the train journey itself is now the biggest issue
Increasingly long trains are often parked for hours in the middle of nowhere. This can be solved by fitting trailers and shipping containers with electronic locks with GPS trackers. This allows you to see in real time where your cargo is and intervene when things go wrong. But this only works if a good protocol is also attached.
