Incidents of cargo theft globally continue to pose a threat to the supply chain. TT have identified further spikes in activity in the United States and Italy in the last months, continuing trends from the 2023 data shared in the last edition of the bulletin.

In this edition we go back to basics and focus on one of the fundamental risk management tools available to manage not only security but the integrity of cargo through the supply chain – the security seal. Readers will no doubt be familiar with the range of security seals currently available, from basic plastic clip seals through to the more frequently used bolt seals where containerised shipments are concerned.

Each have their merits and purpose. While most seals don’t pose a robust barrier to entry, identifying tampering can be vital insofar as liability is concerned, identifying exactly how, who was involved and where the goods were stolen.

As with most security measures, thieves have developed sophisticated counter strategies, from recruiting insiders to ensure that a bolt seal is not fully engaged at the point of loading, manipulating the seal numbers, through to 3D printing almost identical seals that can be affixed once the cargo is stolen.

Often personnel at the receiving warehouse view the seal as a nuisance, something that needs to be cut from the doors prior to them opening the trailer or container and fulfilling their role of unpacking. It would not be uncommon at receiving warehouses to see security seals discarded in the yard area or in refuse bins near the dock doors. It remains good practice however to closely inspect the security seal for tampering, prior to cutting it from the cargo transport unit, as well as to check the seal number against the number recorded on the transport documents to ensure they match. Finally, it is also best practice to retain the security seal; if an allegation is later raised or it becomes evident on unpacking that cargo is missing, the security seal could provide useful evidence to defend a claim and ensure that the liable party is duly identified.