How to prevent crime in intermodal transport?
understanding the issues
case studies
practical tips
Crime in intermodal transport grows
The growth in climate-related problems and the increasing shortage of drivers mean shippers are opting more and more frequently for intermodal transport. Total volume increased by more than 50 per cent between 2009 and 2021. Almost one fifth of all goods transported within the EU, are shipped using a combination of truck and train and this number looks set to rise. Trains are getting longer and longer. And because the number of kilometres of track is not growing at the same pace as the volume of freight being shipped there will be more and more congestion. Resulting in long queues of waiting wagons.
So an increase in crime in the world of intermodal transport is almost inevitable. However, no specific context and figures are available on this issue and that makes it impossible to take effective action against crime involving unaccompanied consignments. To understand more, we have created a white paper on crime in intermodal transport. This whitepaper will help you better understand what intermodal transport means, what happens along the way, 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 whitepaper is a valuable document for every shipper and carrier who wants to prevent crime in intermodal transport.”
The main findings are:
International organised crime is behind most crimes
There are two factors that play into the hands of the criminals. Firstly, most transport companies are busy with damage control rather than crime prevention. And thanks to the international nature of the operations, transport criminals are able to remain under the radar of the authorities.
An integrated European approach is missing
There are a lot of national initiatives for preventing transport crime in intermodal transport, but there is still no integrated European approach. And for as long as the transport industry itself is not more transparent about what is happening in transit, an integrated approach won’t come either. Shippers could report crimes more often or report the cargo theft via the TAPA intelligent system (TIS).
Shipping companies are the weakest link in the transport chain
The pinched journey prices and short-term contracts are getting in the way of efficient measures. Their financial position is also making them susceptible to criminal influences. For the shipping companies, it is often a question of calculating what costs the least: securing your vehicle or taking your loss and being pushed further along the chain.
Shipping companies in high-value transport notice that security helps!
Criminals are more likely to leave a container or trailer that is well secured, alone. High-value items, such as excise goods, are intermodal transported in well-secured units. Mobile phones, on the other hand, are usually transported by road transport. Medium-value goods, such as televisions, are often simply transported in a curtainsider trailer
The biggest problem always lay in the pre- and post-transport.
Shippers are now resolving that with certified drivers, who travel to their destination with secured trailers, via secured parking places.
The safety of the train journey itself is now the biggest issue
Trains, which are getting longer and longer all the time, are often in the middle of nowhere for hours. This can be resolved by equipping trailers and sea containers with electronic locks with a GPS tracker. This enables you to see in real time where your cargo is and intervene if something goes wrong. But this only works if it has a good protocol too.
The main findings are:
International organised crime is behind most crimes
There are two factors that play into the hands of the criminals. Firstly, most transport companies are busy with damage control rather than crime prevention. And thanks to the international nature of the operations, transport criminals are able to remain under the radar of the authorities.
An integrated European approach is missing
There are a lot of national initiatives for preventing transport crime in intermodal transport, but there is still no integrated European approach. And for as long as the transport industry itself is not more transparent about what is happening in transit, an integrated approach won’t come either. Shippers could report crimes more often or report the cargo theft via the TAPA intelligent system (TIS).
Shipping companies are the weakest link in the transport chain
The pinched journey prices and short-term contracts are getting in the way of efficient measures. Their financial position is also making them susceptible to criminal influences. For the shipping companies, it is often a question of calculating what costs the least: securing your vehicle or taking your loss and being pushed further along the chain.
Shipping companies in high-value transport notice that security helps!
Criminals are more likely to leave a container or trailer that is well secured, alone. High-value items, such as excise goods, are intermodal transported in well-secured units. Mobile phones, on the other hand, are usually transported by road transport. Medium-value goods, such as televisions, are often simply transported in a curtainsider trailer
The biggest problem always lay in the pre- and post-transport.
Shippers are now resolving that with certified drivers, who travel to their destination with secured trailers, via secured parking places.
The safety of the train journey itself is now the biggest issue
Trains, which are getting longer and longer all the time, are often in the middle of nowhere for hours. This can be resolved by equipping trailers and sea containers with electronic locks with a GPS tracker. This enables you to see in real time where your cargo is and intervene if something goes wrong. But this only works if it has a good protocol too.
Want to know more?
Questions or more information about crime in intermodal transport?
Do you still have questions after reading the whitepaper? Or would you like more information on how to secure your trailer, container or cargo during intermodal transport? Contact our vehicle security specialists. They will be happy to help you further.
Dirk Straatman
Specialist voertuigbeveiliging
Imbema
Frits Hofma
Specialist voertuigbeveiliging
Imbema