Cargo theft is no longer a series of isolated incidents—it’s a well-organized, tech-enabled criminal enterprise, and it’s accelerating. In 2024 alone, freight thefts surged 27% year over year, with the average value of a stolen load hitting over $200,000. What’s more alarming is how sophisticated these operations have become.
If you’re a transportation provider or logistics partner, it’s time to rethink security at the trailer level, where theft risk is concentrated.
Modern cargo theft has evolved into a precision crime. Criminals now monitor fleet operations, track drivers and use stolen identities to double broker or intercept loads. According to CargoNet, fictitious pickups alone have risen more than 1,000% in just two years.
Their playbook is expanding. Criminals target not just high-value electronics, but everyday items with high resale value like beverages, cosmetics and over-the-counter supplements. And they’re leveraging technology just like you are.
The result? Fleets not only lose loads, but also face insurance premium hikes, compliance headaches and potential reputational damage.
Here’s the truth: trucks and drivers rotate. Trailers don’t. That’s why modern security starts at the trailer level.
Fleet leaders are embracing trailer visibility solutions that go well beyond basic GPS. These systems deliver:
This level of visibility allows dispatch teams to intervene early, enforce routing policies and verify activity at every handoff point.
Let’s take a look at how two major fleets are defending their operations using ORBCOMM’s trailer visibility platform.
With 2,000 trailers across North America, TSI adopted a trailer-centric strategy to secure high-value cargo moving across borders. They use tracking, door alerts and geofencing to manage no-stop policies and trailer assignments. The result? Faster response to exceptions and tighter control over third-party carrier activity.
Before implementing trailer visibility, C.R. England relied on daily yard checks. Now, with ORBCOMM’s solution integrated into their TMS, they can remotely verify trailer availability and receive alerts for incorrect pairings.
This isn’t just about stopping theft—it’s about smarter asset utilization. Trailer visibility helps fleets reduce dwell time, optimize trailer pool management, monitor their mixed assets with confidence and enforce data-driven policies. Every data point adds to your understanding of how trailers are moving—and how they’re exposed.
Visibility also builds credibility. Carriers that offer tracking capabilities to customers reduce service calls, increase transparency and add a layer of third-party accountability. In an era of high-value, time-sensitive shipments, this peace of mind can be a differentiator.
Not all trailer tracking is created equal. If you’re evaluating trailer visibility solution providers, focus on:
Theft is no longer something you hope to avoid—it’s something you prepare for. The good news? With trailer visibility, preparation also drives performance.
ORBCOMM trailer visibility solutions give you more than alerts—they give you total remote control over your assets, and insightful data to improve every move.
In today’s freight landscape, that’s not just a defensive play. It’s a business advantage.
Cody Lirette is Senior Content Marketing Manager at ORBCOMM. With over a decade of marketing and communications experience for both the public and private sector, he uses his passion for innovative technology and plain language to build compelling content that inspires action.
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Heavy Industry 
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