The major difference between cargo thefts in the United States and many other countries is the level of violence, according to FreightWatch International (USA) Inc.

While violence is a common theme in cargo thefts in Mexico, Dan Burges, Austin, Texas-based corporate director of global intelligence with FreightWatch, said it's nearly nonexistent in U.S. and Canadian cargo thefts.

He said this is due primarily to the hostile political and social environment in Mexico as well as cargo theft not being a “high priority” for law enforcement.

“In places like Mexico and South Africa where things are unsettled, hijackings occur all the time,” Mr. Burges said. “In a place like Brazil, it's almost businesslike.” He added that cargo thefts are a market-driven crime and that cargo theft gangs in those countries are looking to seize an opportunity to sell goods not available in other areas of the country.

Violence was involved in less than 2% of U.S. cargo thefts, FreightWatch said in its report, “Global Threat Assessment” in examining 2010 activity. In contrast, 71% of cargo thefts in Mexico were violent.

Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, the United States, Russia, India and the United Kingdom are at greatest risk of cargo thefts, FreightWatch said in the report. Drug cartel-related violence in Mexico last year has worsened this year, FreightWatch said.

In the United States, 899 cargo thefts were recorded last year.

The U.S. saw a 4.1% rise in cargo theft volume in 2010 compared with 2009, while the overall value of stolen loads decreased 17% from 2009's record average of $572,800.

Not all cargo theft reports include the location, but of the 497 that were reported with locations, 316 occurred in parking areas. Of those 316, 149 were at truck stops; 106 were at unsecured lots or terminals; 36, public access parking lots; and 25, roadside areas.

FreightWatch also found that 124 cargo thefts took place in secured parking lots and terminals.

Food and drink products were the most targeted in the United States with 185 incidents, or 21% of all cargo thefts, while electronics were No. 2 with 19% of all cargo thefts.

New Jersey saw its rate of cargo thefts jump 142% in 2010 from 2009 with food and drink accounting for 37% of all recorded incidents in the state, and shoes and clothing (13%) and consumer care products (12%) coming in a distant No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.

“Cargo criminals are getting more determined in the types of products they want and are now likely to go directly to where the product is being shipped from,” Mr. Burges said, adding that cargo thieves are going so far as posing as inventory-tracking employees to gain access to warehouses, or attempting to gain shipping information from employees with bribes.

Though most property insurance would cover stolen property, FreightWatch noted that there is no “catch-all” coverage for companies shipping globally and said that gathering intelligence and adapting anti-theft programs to address local threats is important.

“A lot of different elements go into cargo theft,” Mr. Burges said. “What's true in one region is not true for another. There are different methods used in different parts of the world, and we look at influences and style in how these thefts are committed.”

The purpose of FreightWatch's report is to outline risk of cargo theft on a global level and help industry decisionmakers determine their supply-chain risk and security needs based on where a product is being shipped and where it is warehoused.

To prevent these types of actions, Mr. Burges said companies can use surveillance, with or without on-site security. Further, companies can keep shipping areas out of public view and limit the time trucks are unattended.

On the road, drivers are encouraged to drive 200 miles before their first stop, Mr. Burges said, which not only can deter thieves from trying to hijack the load, it also gives drivers plenty of time to find out if they are being followed.