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The transportation of high-value items is important for many industries today, from luxury goods to medication. However, this value brings significant risks, including theft, damage, and delays, which can lead to major financial losses and ruin a company’s reputation. Thankfully, technology can help reduce these risks.
So, how can we effectively track and secure high-value freight? Key strategies include careful route planning, strong packaging, reliable carriers, secure storage, and sometimes escorts. It’s also essential to adhere to customs regulations, train employees on safety procedures, and have proper insurance.
This blog will cover the best strategies, technologies, and practices for safeguarding your high-value freight. Whether you’re a logistics manager, a supply chain professional, or a business owner, knowing how to protect your valuable shipments is crucial in today’s competitive market.
High-value freight refers to goods with significant monetary value that require special handling and insurance.
Goods valued over a million Rand, are considered high-value freight. These items are in high demand, making them more likely to be stolen, and often have strict regulatory controls.
High-value items include luxury goods like jewellery and designer items, medications, banknotes, gold coins, metals, gems, electronics, livestock, diamonds and art. Premium cigars, cigarettes, and alcohol, especially in large amounts, are also classified as high-value freight.
There are four major types of freight transportation: ground(road), rail, ocean, and air.
Cartrack mainly uses ground freight transportation, which has two types of loads: Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) and Full-Truckload (FTL).
Less-Than-Truckload (LTL): This involves shipments that don’t fill a whole truck. Different shippers can share the truck to save money, but it might take longer because the cargo gets handled multiple times.
Full-Truckload (FTL): In this case, one shipper uses the entire truck. This provides more space for high-value items and usually means faster delivery.
Why You Need High-Value Freight Tracking?
Tracking high-value freight is essential because cargo can be at serious risk of theft, damage, or loss. You need to monitor your goods from where they start to when they get delivered. GPS tracking allows you to track the location of your goods in real-time.
South Africa ranks fourth in cargo theft incidents globally. According to the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA), South Africa witnessed over 40,000 crimes impacting supply chains in the past year, based on data from the South African Police Service (SAPS). These incidents are happening at the ports but also on the road.
Organised crime groups are always looking for new ways to access your cargo. Here are some common methods used to steal high-value goods:
Six Most Common High-Value Freight Theft Methods
Identity Theft and Fraud: Thieves sometimes use identity theft to pose as legitimate freight companies. By creating fake documents and credentials, they can convince carriers to release valuable cargo, leading to significant losses for shipping companies.
Truck Hijackings and Burglaries: This involves the theft of entire trucks, typically when they are left unattended at rest stops or during deliveries. Thieves often monitor trucks from a distance, waiting for an opportunity to attack.
False Emergencies and Coerced Stops: Criminals signal drivers to pull over, then steal cargo while the driver is distracted.
Commercial Burglaries: Criminals break into shipping containers or trucks at facilities like truck yards, warehouses, or businesses near transportation hubs. Cargo theft at these locations often happens because the goods are left unattended for extended periods.
Employee Involvement: Insider theft occurs when employees help criminals by providing access or staging hijacking for financial gain.
Use of Technology: Criminals can use GPS jamming to prevent the tracking of goods or use hacking techniques like phishing, allowing them to create fake shipments and steal goods.
Cartrack’s fleet management system helps you manage your cargo transport in a smart and safe way. This all-in-one solution makes fleet management easier and more convenient.
Here’s how Cartrack can protect your high-value goods:
GPS tracking: With Cartrack’s live GPS tracking, you can always see where your valuable goods are at all times. We’ve designed a tracking unit that can easily be attached to most movable assets to help you improve your asset utilisation and reduce costs. This way, you can keep an eye on your cargo.
Temperature monitoring: You can install up to four temperature sensors on your truck and trailer. This lets you check the temperature of your cargo from anywhere, which is especially important for things like livestock. You can set alerts for any temperature changes, helping to ensure that goods arrive in the right condition for your customers.
Ignition Sensor: This sensor tracks whether the vehicle’s ignition is on or off. It provides key information about the vehicle’s status and can help detect different theft situations.
Geofencing: Set up virtual boundaries around certain areas to monitor your drivers, vehicles, and equipment in real-time. Once a geofence is created, you’ll get instant notifications whenever a vehicle enters or exits that area. This helps you keep track of fleet activity and avoid high-risk zones.
Driver behaviour monitoring: Enhance driver safety with Cartrack’s fleet driver monitoring system. This system uses advanced hardware and software to track driver behaviour.
Cartrack's AI LiveVision cameras alertdrivers to distracted and risky actions, like smoking or speeding, allowing them to correct their behaviour quickly. This helps create a safer driving culture and lowers accident risks. High-priority alerts can be sent to coaching, a Value Added Service that helps companies keep a record of repeated offences and provide targeted training for drivers.
Jamming Detection: If a thief uses a jamming device to disrupt communication between the tracking system and the cellular network, Cartrack can switch to RF frequency. This ensures we can keep communicating with your vehicle, enhancing security and increasing the chances of recovery.
Routing: Routing is a software tool that helps you set and manage planned routes for your fleet vehicles. You’ll receive real-time alerts for any deviations from these routes. Keeping vehicles on their intended paths reduces operating costs and ensures drivers stay focused and cargo remains on track.
Cartrack's fleet management system offers so much more than just tracking.It provides peace of mind your high-value freight is well protected. With our comprehensive features, you can trust that your valuable assets are in safe hands.
Take control of your high-value cargo at all times
Cartrack provides security features tailored to safeguard your drivers, fleet, and cargo from theft, hijacking, and accidents. Trust us to protect your valuable assets.
Frequently Asked Questions on High-Value Freight in South Africa
Q: How can I package my high-value cargo to prevent damage?
A: Use strong, sturdy boxes or containers and cushion contents with bubble wrap. Consider tamper-evident packaging to ensure items aren’t tempered during shipping.
Q: Can I insure my fleet with Cartrack?
A: While we don’t provide insurance directly, our insurance agency can help you find the right coverage that fits your needs and budget.
Q: What are the common risks in HVF (High-Value Freight)?
A: Theft and hijacking.
Learn how to track and secure high-value freight in South Africa. Explore risks, common theft methods and how Cartrack’s fleet management solutions protect your cargo efficiently.
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