The New Frontier of Crime: Cargo Theft Goes Inland

For decades, the narrative of cargo crime was a familiar one: it was a problem of the coasts, of congested ports where containers sat vulnerable, waiting for a thief with the right connections. But in 2025, that narrative has been completely rewritten. Cargo crime is on the move, following the flow of freight deep into the heart of the country. A recent report by supply chain security firm Overhaul predicts a 22% increase in cargo theft this year, and what’s most alarming is the shift in geography.

The thefts are becoming more sophisticated, moving beyond simple pilferage to a more organized, and often deceptive, form of crime. We’re seeing more full-truckload heists and a rise in "deceptive pickups"—where a criminal poses as a legitimate carrier to steal a valuable shipment. The old-school tactics of physical security at ports are no longer enough. The vulnerability has shifted inland, to truck stops, warehouse yards, and even railway depots, where thieves are now targeting high-value goods.

The BNSF Railway, for example, has seen major thefts of electronics and apparel, a clear sign that criminals are adapting their methods to the new logistics landscape. This evolving threat demands a renewed focus on security and vigilance at every single point in the supply chain, from the first mile to the last. The traditional security measures, which were once effective, are now being outsmarted by criminals who understand the weak points in a complex, multi-modal system.

This is a challenge that requires more than just better locks or surveillance cameras. It demands a systemic solution that provides visibility and control over the entire logistics process. While Prodensus’s platforms are a focused towards being revenue operations platforms, they inherently help mitigate these security risks by providing a single, unified data source. By consolidating information and streamlining communication, it reduces the chances of miscommunication or a fraudulent booking slipping through the cracks. It provides a clearer audit trail and a more robust verification process, making it much harder for criminals to exploit fragmented systems.

While it is not a dedicated security toolset, DataMate and RateMate’s focus on data unification and process streamlining offers a powerful, albeit indirect, defense against sophisticated cargo crime. By reducing the reliance on a messy web of emails and spreadsheets, it introduces a level of order and control that makes it much more difficult for deceptive practices to succeed. In a world where crime is becoming more organized, your processes need to be even more so.