CargoNet recorded a total of 741 cargo theft events in the U.S. and Canada last year, down from 836 in 2016. CargoNet also recorded 1,479 stolen tractors, trailers, or intermodal chassis and containers in the U.S. and Canada.
The firm attributes the decline in cargo thefts last year to successful law enforcement investigations in 2016.
California saw the biggest drop, seeing cargo theft down 32 %.
Food and beverage items made up 22% of all cargo thefts. However, food and beverage thefts decreased as well in 2017, in favor of household items like appliances and tools.
Fridays and weekends were the most common times for cargo thefts to occur. Theft was most common on Friday at 19% with Saturday and Sunday accounting for 17% and 16%, respectively. In 37% of cases, cargo theft occurred when cargo was left unattended for multiple days without electronic tracking, witnesses, or surveillance to determine when it happened.
Cargo thefts most often occurred at warehouse locations, but those were closely followed by fenced yards. In 2017, 18% of all cargo theft occurred at a fenced yard location.