Freightwatch, Qualcomm Aim to Fight Truck Cargo Theft

Global cargo security firm Freightwatch is launching a covert freight tracking service in the U.S. with Qualcomm, the satellite communications and equipment tracking giant.

The partnership joins Freightwatch’s custom logistics security systems with Qualcomm’s satellite-based equipment tracking technology used by many motor carriers.

Cargo theft rose last year as the economy slumped, according to Freightwatch. Electronics theft climbed 12 percent and accounted for 23 percent of all incidents.

Most of the incidents involved theft from trucks, from partial theft of loads to stealing an entire truck. The Freightwatch/Qualcomm venture aims to stop that crime.

Small tracking devices that can be hidden in cargo or on equipment will allow trucking companies to track high-value cargo down to the pallet level, the companies said.

Freightwatch says its Geo F1 and F2 location position devices are small enough to be hidden in hard-to-find locations, unlike GPS units mounted on many tractors and trailers.

In a recent case, Geo F1 trackers placed in pill bottles helped track stolen pharmaceutical shipments and led to an arrest, said Freightwatch.

The Geo devices are powered by GPS technology from Qualcomm, which has been pioneering satellite communications and cellular technology since 1988.

Freightwatch is also working with partner in Europe, Dublin, Ireland-based Eurowatch, to expand its cargo security services and track European crime trends.

The companies will produce intelligence reports on cargo theft trends, including popular stolen items, changes in average loss value, gang activity and theft by location.
(Source:www.joc.com)