Sep 2, 2025

Cargo theft: A growing threat - and how TQL fights it

Prevention program combines AI and partnerships to protect freight

By Shannon Russell

Key points:

• TQL uses AI and experts to stop identity-based cargo theft before it happens.
• TQL has invested $4 million in expert talent and technology to combat theft. 
• Partnerships and employee training keep TQL ahead of threats.

Cargo theft is one of the biggest challenges in logistics. What was once a crime of opportunity has evolved into an organized, high-stakes operation costing the industry millions.

CargoNet reported 884 thefts totaling $69.7 million across the industry in Q2 2025. Criminals are more sophisticated than ever, often impersonating trusted shippers and carriers to make freight vanish.

Identity-based has surged from 8% of incidents in 2020 to nearly one-third today. Top targets include commercial and industrial materials, apparel, and essentials like food and baby formula.

The real cost of cargo theft
At TQL, we see the human impact. Cargo theft isn’t just about financial loss. It also creates food waste, higher prices and safety risks.

Consider …

• A tampered-with load of eggs must be discarded for safety regulations.
• Stolen baby formula may be resold to unsuspecting consumers. 
• A stolen shipment of over-the-counter medications could end up on the black market, creating serious health risks.

To combat this trend, we have taken action. Our Cargo Theft Prevention Program combines AI, human expertise, strong law enforcement partnerships and employee education to stop theft before it happens.

Tech meets human expertise
Our AI-powered cargo theft detection system constantly scans millions of loads, flagging routing inconsistencies, mismatched credentials and other anomalies. Suspicious activity is sent to our Cargo Security Team for review.

This human-in-the-loop approach ensures faster response times and sharper decisions.

We have invested over $4 million in building custom data tools and expanding our Security Team, which has more than quadrupled since 2020. These investments help us detect thieves before a load is dispatched.

“We’re constantly evaluating hundreds of thousands of carriers, checking if any have had their identity or profile co-opted by someone looking to steal freight,” said Zak B., Vice President of Sales Support Operations.

Collaboration strengthens security
In the first half of 2025, CargoNet reported 1,671 cargo theft incidents industry-wide totaling an estimated $191 million in losses – a reminder that collaboration is critical.

As a five-time CargoNet Best in Cargo Security Award winner, we partner with local, state and federal law enforcement, including the FBI. We share intelligence with industry peers, host panels on cargo security and provide Safe Freight Insights to help shippers and carriers stay prevention-focused.
  
Protecting freight isn’t just what we do; it’s who we are. That’s the TQL difference.

Find out how TQL’s AI-powered cargo theft prevention program can protect your freight. Contact your dedicated Logistics Account Executive or email CargoSecurity@TQL.com.