Yard Management Systems Are Crucial Investments to Tackle the Global Increase in Cargo Theft

Cargo theft has increased considerably, with strategic theft increasing 1,500% since 2021 and costing the U.S. economy over US$35 billion per year, according to the American Trucking Association (ATA). Criminals are exploiting extensive carrier networks, poorly secured facilities, and subcontracting practices to seamlessly steal a full million dollars’ worth of goods at a time.

The same is happening in Europe. Figures from the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) show that European Union (EU) cargo losses have soared by 438%, with more than 157,000 cargo crimes reported between 2022 and 2024. In June 2025 alone, 634 incidents were reported across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, which included one theft of cosmetics in Italy worth €4 million. Almost all goods are being targeted, but the most common are those that are easily moved, in demand, and easy to sell on the black market.

Thefts involving full trucks as the modality increased from 68% to 76% in 2024, showing how cargo theft is no longer just “skimming off the top” or breaking into a truck to steal a few cases, but rather exploiting weak supply chain nodes for maximum damage. ABI Insight, “The Ongoing Shift in Supply Chain Software Architecture Is Rapidly Increasing Cyber Vulnerabilities,” stated that while increasingly interconnected supply chains are great for visibility and efficiency, the nature of the network also increases exposure to cyberthreats. The same applies to physical cargo theft as well. As companies and carriers use more digital tools, source from a wider pool of transport providers, and develop more digital connections, the threats of fraud and visibility falling into the wrong hands go up exponentially.

One of the most alarming aspects of the increase in cargo theft has been the use of digital platforms and subcontracting practices for posing as legitimate carriers and simply stealing full truckloads via a standard pickup process. As part of the process, criminals are also using more advanced technologies to exploit asset tracking solutions, allowing them to track shipments, identify cargo routes, and disrupt communications to ultimately exploit poorly secured facilities.

To tackle this, the TAPA advises firms to focus on the following: monitoring of assets with geofencing and deviation alerts; truck and trailer security through unique keys and ISO 17712 seals; secure parking and management at yards; and driver verification and training. An effective Yard Management System (YMS) can offer the following solutions:

• Control access to yards through unique QR codes, kiosks, and truck/trailer licenses/codes.
• Verify and file the identity of drivers through ID/passport checks to prevent impersonation and double brokering.
• Track asset movements to create digital logs and event-based workflows for auditing.
• Provide visibility for external carriers and secure driver communication.
• Digitize manual documentation such as Bill of Lading (BoL) for faster verification and processing.

It may seem rudimentary, but ABI Research estimates that over 70% of the market has yet to adopt an advanced YMS, with many still heavily reliant on manual processes, Excel sheets, or internally developed systems that are not fit for purpose, especially when it comes to security. Often, organizations are looking for more transport visibility to tackle theft but fail to secure yard environments that ultimately manage and control access to cargo at its most vulnerable points.

Most YMSs will provide enhanced security by digitizing manual processes, providing better asset visibility, and streamlining gate management processes. But not all YMSs are created equal, with a number of providers focused on specific aspects of the yard, such as dock scheduling, gate automation, or asset visibility. However, to ensure maximum security and maximize efficiency gains, organizations must leverage YMSs to their full potential, investing in each aspect of their yard management processes and working with a provider that can support them all.

From a security perspective, the following providers’ offerings stand out:

• Kaleris: The system incorporates double-blind verification, requiring two users to independently enter and validate key asset attributes, like seal number and tractor number, preventing dispatch errors and fraud by ensuring correct driver/asset pairing. It is also highly configurable, supporting multiple asset types and attributes such as reefer temperature checks, which makes verification methods more comprehensive. The system also provides carriers with a guest portal linked to their unique Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) number for shipment and appointment visibility, and sites can specify which assets and attributes are visible to each carrier, streamlining communication, identifying difficulties, and preventing data leaks.
• Yard Management Solutions: Offers drivers a pre-check-in app, both ensuring designated access and speeding up gate entry via a QR code. Yard Management Solutions also recently introduced driver’s license scanning, further securing cargo access. The solution also ensures that all moves are time stamped, user associated, and logged immediately in the system, allowing full auditing of movements and live cargo visibility.
• Vector: Focuses on tying loads back to the driver, with the platform allowing brokers to enter who the driver is in advance of arrival. This helps prevent double brokering and any unauthorized drivers from accessing loads in the yard. Vector is also pioneering the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based vision for exception management. The platform allows users to ask pre-loaded questions against an image that’s submitted, triggering exception cues on key issues such as damaged or missing stock.

For providers, capitalizing on the extensive green space in the market will be heavily reliant on how comprehensive a system can be while maintaining ease of setup and use. Taking gate automation as an example for both efficiency and security purposes, leveraging cameras has been a buzz in the industry, but a more driver-centric approach such as an app-based check-in or QR code scan can be easier, cheaper, and more secure with added driver identification benefits. In this segment of the market, in particular, focusing on simplicity and cost will be key over chasing the next software hype or AI-based features.