How to Fight Cargo Theft

Cargo theft is a significant problem in the transportation industry, with losses reaching $131.6 million in the first quarter of 2026. The average value per theft climbed to $273,990 in 2025, up 36% from the year before. Roughly three-quarters of stolen freight is never recovered, and the real cost of a single theft can run three to six times the value of the load itself. Traditional prevention methods, such as policy manuals and safety meetings, are not effective in preventing cargo theft, as they are not in front of drivers at the moment they need to make a decision. Technology can provide location-based alerts and real-time detection of unexpected stops, allowing drivers to receive warnings and instructions at the exact moment they need them. Stevens Transport, a Dallas-based carrier, has implemented a system using Custom Zones in Safety+ by Fleetworthy, which provides geofenced alerts around known theft hotspots and predatory towing risk. This approach has generated over 54,900 alerts, each one a moment where a driver received a specific, location-triggered instruction. The use of technology can help prevent cargo theft and reduce the risk of loss, and Fleetworthy offers a complete technology suite for fleet readiness, uniting safety and compliance, toll management, and weigh station bypass solutions.