According to figures cited by Girteka from the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA), recorded cargo losses in the EU totalled €549 million in 2023: a 438% jump compared to 2022 and more than ten times higher than in 2021. A European Parliament study has estimated that cargo crime costs businesses over €8.2 billion annually across the continent.
Globally, the TAPA EMEA Intelligence System recorded more than 157,000 cargo crimes between 2022 and 2024. In June 2025 alone, 634 incidents were reported across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, including a single theft worth €4 million, when cosmetics were stolen from a trailer in Lombardy, Italy.
EU cargo losses soar 438%
Germany remains one of the hardest-hit markets, followed by Italy, France, Spain and the United Kingdom. Thefts tend to focus on goods that combine high value with strong demand and ease of resale. Food and drink products regularly top the list, while electronics, automotive parts and pharmaceuticals are also prime targets.
Pharmaceuticals are especially exposed because of their compact size and high market value. Beyond the financial damage, theft of medicines carries public health risks if stolen products are resold or stored improperly. Road freight remains particularly vulnerable, with trucks involved in more than three-quarters of all global thefts in 2024.
Hijacking leads theft tactics
The nature of cargo crime has shifted from petty, opportunistic thefts to large-scale, coordinated operations. TAPA data show hijackings accounted for more than one in five reported cases in 2024, closely followed by outright vehicle theft. Thefts from depots and warehouses remain a significant threat.
By mid-2025, intrusion — such as cutting open curtains or breaking locks — had become the dominant method, responsible for two-thirds of incidents. Fraudulent carriers, cyber-enabled scams, identity deception and even insider collusion are also on the rise, with unsecured motorway rest areas continuing to act as hotspots for theft.
Supply chain costs cascade
The immediate financial blow of a stolen load falls on carriers and shippers, but the effects ripple much further. Consumers may face shortages and higher prices, while manufacturers, freight forwarders and insurers carry higher risk exposure. Industry analysts warn that as criminal networks grow more sophisticated, the overall resilience of supply chains is being tested.
The steep rise in losses has prompted more transport companies and cargo owners to adopt the Trucking Security Requirements (TSR) standard developed by TAPA as a baseline for risk management.
TSR standard tightens truck security
The TSR framework sets minimum safeguards for trucking operations, covering trailers, rigid vans and even the road transport of containers. Certification is divided into three levels, with Level 1 representing the highest degree of protection.
Security measures under TSR range from 24/7 GPS monitoring, geofencing and emergency SOS alerts to the use of sealed trailers, secure parking and mandatory driver training. The standard is reviewed and updated every three years to keep pace with changing criminal tactics.
According to Girteka, compliance with TSR is no longer just a box-ticking exercise but a competitive differentiator. For shippers, particularly those moving pharmaceuticals, electronics or other high-value goods, it provides assurance on risk reduction and insurance compliance. Insurers, regulators and manufacturers also benefit from a common benchmark for assessing transport security across borders.
With cargo crime rising sharply and tactics evolving, industry experts argue that adherence to international standards such as TAPA TSR is becoming a strategic necessity for companies operating in Europe’s road freight market.
