Cargo Under Siege: ATA Calls for Federal Crackdown on Escalating Freight Theft Crisis

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is sounding the alarm on a growing national crisis—organized cargo theft—and demanding swift federal intervention. As theft-related losses skyrocket and criminal tactics become increasingly sophisticated, the ATA is urging lawmakers to act decisively to safeguard the U.S. supply chain, protect transportation businesses, and ease the rising financial burden on American consumers.

📦 $200,000 Per Hit: Cargo Theft’s Soaring Impact

During a recent roundtable held by the House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee, ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello issued a stark warning: cargo theft is no longer an isolated issue—it is a systemic threat affecting nearly every trucking company in the nation.

“Virtually every motor carrier experiences cargo theft,” Costello told lawmakers. “Even those that haven’t suffered a direct loss are forced to invest heavily in countermeasures—costs that inevitably get passed along to consumers.”

Indeed, the numbers are staggering. Since Q1 of 2021, strategic cargo thefts have exploded by over 1,500%, with the average loss per incident now exceeding $200,000. Criminals are deploying cyber-enabled tactics, impersonating legitimate carriers, pilfering high-value goods in transit, and executing sophisticated double-brokering scams.

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👥 Real Industry Stories, Real Consequences

ATA member Adam Blanchard, who testified earlier this year before the Senate Commerce Subcommittee, shared a harrowing account of how his trucking company’s identity was hijacked by a theft ring. Despite notifying his insurer, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security, no agency took responsibility for investigating the crime.

Blanchard’s experience highlights a gaping hole in the system: there is no centralized federal enforcement mechanism for investigating or prosecuting cargo theft, leaving carriers—and often their customers—holding the bag.

🧩 A Fragmented Response to an Organized Crime

Cargo theft is now a multi-billion-dollar problem, with estimated annual losses reaching $35 billion. Yet, despite its scale and economic implications, responses remain fragmented, jurisdictionally complicated, and often ineffective.

What’s more, the issue extends beyond trucking. As goods vanish, insurance premiums rise, delivery timelines are shattered, and inflationary pressures ripple across industries—impacting the cost of food, electronics, apparel, and medical supplies.

🛡️ Federal Legislation on the Horizon

To address the issue, the ATA is throwing its support behind the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act—a proposed federal initiative that would:

• Establish a coordinated national strategy against cargo theft,

• Create a centralized reporting and enforcement structure, and

• Empower federal agencies to operate across jurisdictions and even international borders.

The goal? To dismantle the sophisticated criminal networks behind these heists and ensure accountability and action—something that victims like Blanchard desperately needed but never received.

🔐 Cybersecurity, Public-Private Partnerships, and What Comes Next

In 2025, the ATA has ranked cargo theft and cybersecurity among its top strategic priorities. The organization is urging deeper collaboration between federal agencies and private carriers, alongside increased funding and policy reform that would empower law enforcement to pursue and prosecute organized theft rings.

This fight isn’t just about property loss—it’s about preserving the security, credibility, and resilience of America’s freight infrastructure.

📝 Final Word: A Call to Action

Cargo theft has evolved into a highly organized, high-stakes criminal enterprise. Without strong federal action, trucking companies—and the public—will continue to pay the price. As Bob Costello put it: “Safeguarding the supply chain means protecting not just freight, but America’s economic foundation itself.”

Safety Lane Magazine will continue to follow this issue and support the call for reform, accountability, and proactive protection across the logistics industry.

Stay informed. Stay compliant. Stay ahead. Safety Lane Magazine & CellEx Consulting Group – Your Trusted Source for Industry Compliance & Safety.