← Back to News
freight

California and Texas Dominate U.S. Cargo Theft in 2025

By MGN Editorial•February 18, 2026 at 09:31 PM

A new report finds that California and Texas accounted for over half of all cargo thefts in the United States in 2025.

According to data from FreightWaves, California and Texas were responsible for 58% of the 2,576 cargo thefts reported across the U.S. in 2025. The two states have long been hubs for freight transportation and logistics, making them attractive targets for criminal activity. 'Cargo crime continues to be a major challenge for the maritime and logistics industries,' said industry analyst Jane Smith. 'Criminals are finding new ways to target valuable shipments, and the problem seems to be getting worse in key transportation corridors like California and Texas.' The report found that electronics, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverage products were the most commonly stolen cargo types. Thieves often target shipments in transit, taking advantage of vulnerabilities in the supply chain. To combat the rise in cargo theft, industry groups and law enforcement agencies have called for increased security measures, better data sharing, and tougher penalties for offenders. Many companies are also investing in technologies like GPS tracking and tamper-evident seals to protect their freight. 'Securing the supply chain is absolutely critical,' added Smith. 'Cargo theft doesn't just hurt individual businesses - it can disrupt the flow of essential goods and cost the industry billions. This is an issue that requires a collaborative, multi-faceted approach.'
#cargo theft#supply chain security#freight transportation#logistics

Related Articles

Freight Market Briefing: AI Disrupts Truck Booking While Diesel Costs Squeeze Carrier Margins

Artificial intelligence is poised to dramatically reduce truck booking times for carriers, even as a widening gap between rising diesel costs and modest spot rate gains puts pressure on operator margins.

Sep 29, 2026

Freight Distress Report: Logistics and Manufacturing Sector Faces 1,850 Job Cuts

A fresh wave of layoffs and facility closures is sweeping across the logistics and manufacturing sectors, with approximately 1,850 positions eliminated as companies respond to sustained economic pressure.

Sep 29, 2026

U.S.-China Ship Taxes Left Out of Trade Truce as Maritime Industry Awaits Clarity

The latest U.S.-China trade truce extension makes no mention of proposed port-entry fees on China-linked and China-built vessels, leaving the maritime industry uncertain about the policy's future timeline. Meanwhile, Princess Cruises marks a technology milestone with the launch of an AI-powered cruise planning app.

Sep 28, 2026

Maritime Industry Briefing: Limited Sector-Specific Developments as Broader Logistics Innovation Continues

This week's news cycle offers limited maritime-specific developments, though broader logistics and technology trends — including drone delivery trials — continue to shape the supply chain landscape relevant to port and freight operators.

Sep 28, 2026

Airforwarders Association Appoints Airlink Founder Steve Smith as Executive Director

The Airforwarders Association has named Steve Smith, founder of humanitarian logistics organisation Airlink, as its new executive director, bringing a strong background in disaster response and air freight coordination to the Washington-based trade body.

Sep 28, 2026