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US$45 million Cargos were stolen! Cargo thefts increase at US West Coast

17 Nov 2021

By Ashley Kao.    Photo by Rinson Chory 

The record showed the cargo worth US$5 million has been stolen along the US West Coast in the third quarter of 2021.

The two largest ports have met unprecedented rise in cargo theft cases in the backdrop of a record backlog of container vessels in the San Pedro Bay. The data from CargoNet showed, compare to last year, the cargo theft cases increase 42%, and the stolen cargo value worth US$45 million, especially computer electronics and refrigerated food cargo during the first nine month of year 2021. 

The biggest cause of the cargo theft increase was because of the decline in containers throughput and serious congestion in the ports of LA/LB. According to the Marine Exchange of Southern California, more than 102 container ships were waiting to get docked at ports on November 3rd. Despite the officers from the ports claimed that all containers being stored at secure locations, the continuous backlog and nationwide shortage of truck drives and rail transport services have provided more opportunities for cargo theft. 

Even through LA port is acting ensure the regular frequency and outflow of containers with levying US$100 charge per day for nine days or more, and 24/7 work schedule at two ports. These changes also require the attention to the risk of cargo theft. 

A customers’ cargo can be exposed to various risks while in transit. It is strongly recommended to have door-to-door insurance coverage (include loading and unloading) in the shipping part. The goods from the time they are first moved for loading until the completion of unloading at destination, from and to almost every country in the world. Especially now the ports are heavily congested, many of them have been changed to transloading services in inland cities in the US. For many actual cases were being stolen, insurance can be regarded as an effective risk prevention, and protect customers goods against physical loss or damage. On the other hand, insurance reflects the advantages of centralized operation, and it reflects the value of mutual assistance in modern society.

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