The theme for the IANA Intermodal EXPO 2025 was “where collaboration drives innovation,” highlighting both the challenges and opportunities shaping the logistics sector. Our team was one of the many industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators who gathered in Long Beach this year to unpack the forces reshaping global trade and intermodal transportation.
We participated in the panel, “Cargo Theft Threats and Coaction,” where we discussed the current state of affairs around the climbing rate of cargo theft incidents and how stakeholders can work together to mitigate impending risks.
Tackling the crisis with public and private collaboration
Cargo theft has become a nationwide crisis growing at an alarming rate. With $700+ million in losses reported annually across North America, motor carriers, 3PLs, and BCOs need to take proactive defense to mitigate the risk of loss and operational inefficiencies. Sophisticated criminal organizations are leveraging increasingly advanced tactics to target freight in transit and at rest.
The IANA panel made it clear: solving this problem requires a coalition. There is an outcry for legislation to define cargo theft and the legal implications of performing these crimes. One pending action item is the CORCA bill (Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act), which would facilitate the necessary public–private partnerships to establish centralized reporting channels, create clear theft classifications, and empower law enforcement with the tools to act decisively.
On the private side, next-generation software solutions are emerging with real-time visibility, route deviation alerts, and enhanced carrier vetting to mitigate risk and support recovery.
Infrastructure standards must evolve to ensure secure facilities and prevent easy access for criminals. Outdoor storage, for example, benefits from a playbook to keep freight secure while at rest, as well as improved gate operations where validating drivers to mitigate risks of fictitious pickups.
The takeaway? Only through a united, proactive coalition can the industry make meaningful progress against cargo theft.
Looking ahead
IANA EXPO 2025 underscored the dual nature of today’s logistics environment: daunting challenges paired with immense opportunities for innovation. Whether addressing trade policy uncertainty, navigating motor carrier consolidation, combatting cargo theft, or driving digital integration, one theme is consistent—the industry must move forward together.
Donna Lemm, Chief Strategy Officer at IMC Logistics, moderated the panel and talked with us about the value of industry events like the IANA EXPO.
“It’s avenues like this where we’re able to meet and network, but more importantly look for ways where we can better collaborate in ways we haven’t even thought of yet,” Lemm said. “Because this problem is unfortunately not going away and we can’t stand still.”
The companies that will thrive are those that not only adapt, but also invest in stronger partnerships, smarter technology, and data-driven operations. Collaboration and innovation are no longer optional; they are imperatives for long-term success.
eBook: Cargo at rest is cargo at risk
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