2021 Second Quarter Supply Chain Risk Trends Analysis

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – In the second-quarter of 2021, CargoNet ^® recorded 341 supply chain risk events in the United States and Canada. Sixty-five percent of events involved theft of at least one heavy commercial motor vehicle, like a semi-tractor, semi-trailer, or intermodal chassis or container. Sixty percent of events involved theft of cargo or attempted theft of cargo. The average cargo value per cargo theft was $251,000 for an estimated total of $16 million in cargo stolen across the United States and Canada in this analysis period.

California remains the top state for reported cargo thefts in the second quarter of 2021, however normally theft is more concentrated in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside county. The change is due to electronics thefts being followed and then stolen in Central California. Texas was a distant second place, with 52 reported cargo thefts. CargoNet also recorded an increase in cargo theft in the province of Ontario and significant decrease in the state of Illinois.

Electronics products were the most stolen of the second quarter and grew when compared to second quarter 2020 and second quarter 2019.  Specifically, CargoNet has noted increased targeting of consumer electronics shipments – particularly PC gaming hardware. Household items were the second most commonly stolen commodity but dropped compared to second quarter 2020 and second quarter 2019. Thefts of household major appliances were the most commonly stolen item in the category, followed by household paper goods, furniture, and small appliances.  

Thefts at truck stops were the most common in second-quarter 2021, and 17 percent of cargo thefts in second-quarter 2021 took place at a truck stop location. Truck stop thefts also accounted for more than $1.5 million in loss value in second-quarter 2021. Thefts at parking lots were the next most common loss location (16 percent). Thefts at warehouse decreased dramatically, from 64 thefts in second-quarter 2020 to just 30 thefts in second-quarter 2021.