Freight Moving Industry Calls Upon GPS Trackers
You know those semis that you pass on the Interstate systems around our nation are carrying lots of merchandise – many thousands of dollars of merchandise. Groups of thieves have been targeting these trailers for the goods that they carry so that they can steal and profit from them on the black market.
The most popular items to steal are electronics, with food and drinks about even. The reason is that electronics are in such high demand by consumers, and the food and drinks are very easy to move once they have been stolen. Pharmaceuticals are popular, too because of their high street value.
Thieves are smart, though, and so a concerted effort is needed by the manufacturers, logistics industry, law enforcement, and government to stem the tide of these types of theft.
The First Line Of Defense For Freight Businesses
GPS tracking devices are considered the first line of defense because they can be used in three ways. First, to track the big rigs, large ships, and rail engines that provide the horsepower to pull their cargo. These vehicles have already been using satellite-based navigation systems to help monitor the shipping departure and arrival times of their cargo.
But now, real time GPS trackers are being used to track the cargo containers themselves.This includes semi-trailers and ocean-bound containers.These GPS devices help track the containers which may or may not become disconnected from the hauling engines.
Finally, GPS Tracking devices are placed inside of a product that is being shipped to a destination.These do the job of providing location information should the cargo become stolen. If the first two devices fail to give that information, this one should do the job.
We are seeing many thefts occur in the states of California, Texas, and Florida. But make no mistake; thieves will turn up wherever they can find the cargo for which they are looking.
It’s amazing how technology can make such a large impact on our world. Witness the effect of cell phones and the things that are now possible with them. GPS tracking is having a similar effect on many areas of our society right now, too. And it is sure to continue. As more applications arise for this technology it will be put to use; and will prove its worth many times over as well.
One of the best uses of GPS asset trackers is in the tracing of stolen freight by bands of thieves. Around the world, news stories are mounting about the theft of freight from semi-trailers, trains, and maritime shipments.
Recently, a shipment of pharmaceuticals was recovered because of a small, pill-bottle-sized GPS Tracking device. This shipment was intercepted and the suspect was apprehended without incident near St. Louis, Missouri.
This underscores the need for further use of live GPS tracking in this application. Here is where the fight will be won or lost in this arena.
Full GPS Implementation
The effort to fight back against cargo theft must be waged on three fronts. These areas must work in concert for there to be the greatest amount of success in thwarting theft activities.
Transport Tracking
The logistics industry has long embraced GPS Tracking to help navigate shipments and track while in transit and for location purposes. But that is not enough. Closer monitoring can help detect if there is a problem. A ship that goes off-course suddenly or a semi that takes an unexpected detour should raise immediate red flags to those who monitor these shipments. It might indicate that a vessel, semi, or other vehicle has been stolen for the purpose of stealing the cargo that it is transporting.
Container Tracking
Containers such as semi-trailers, large shipping containers, and other portable objects must have their own personal GPS tracker. Not only does this help in the shipping verification process, but it also helps companies that own these assets by being able to track their location. When your assets are traveling all over the globe, you better have a location system that can follow them so that when it comes time for reconciling where they are located, you can do so with ease.
Product Tracking
This is the last mile in the process. Placing a mini GPS tracker that is hidden among the product can help locate it should it become stolen and separated out. As was mentioned above, a small device can be made to look like a regular product and placed along with the real shipment. Unsuspecting thieves will then take that product which can be tracked to their location.
This will become the model that is used to recover the stolen cargo and send a message to thieves that it is no longer profitable to be engaged in this activity.
