to ship via air transportation. The rapid changes that have occurred within the industry have presented a new set of technological challenges, at the same time they have also presented thieves with a host of new opportunities. In fact, one of the biggest factors responsible for increased air cargo theft is the high volume of technological goods being shipped. Theft of high-tech goods has dramatically increased, though losses of air freight in all categories are on the increase, “Freight losses of all kinds to cargo have increased 80 percent in just five years. From the insurance industry’s point of view, cargo theft is a major problem, whether we’re talking about clothing, consumer electronics or jewelry” (Cargo’s 2).
Infrastructure changes within the air cargo industry have been imposed upon it by the changing nature of corporate America in a rapidly paced global environment of increased competition. There has been a push toward smaller shipments and an increase in the frequency of shipping. New business strategies like just-in-time manufacturing and shipping have contributed to the changes. The potential for theft is high at all phases of the distribution process, however, the increased air cargo theft is also caused by the higher security being used by shippers which causes criminals to attack other points in the distribution chain, “Cargo theft is a moving target. As shipper’s improve security at their facilities, cargo thieves move on to airline, forwarder or trucking company warehouses. As those become more tightly protected, cargo in transit is targeted more aggressively” (Cargo’s 3).
Since the supply chain of business has become more complex and involved, it allows for more opportunities for theft. There are other factors that help promote air cargo theft. One of them is that insurance rates are adversely and dramatically affected by cargo theft. This often makes air lines remiss to disclo...