Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Jan. 23, 2026:
Cargo theft activity flat in 2025, but losses surged
The overall number of cargo theft incidents stabilized in 2025 compared to 2024, but the real story of cargo theft during the year was the cost of losses.
Verisk CargoNet reported that estimated losses from cargo theft in 2025 surged to nearly $725 million, a 60% increase from 2024, representing a shift by thieves to focusing more on high-value shipments.
According to CargoNet’s annual analysis, the average value per theft rose to $273,990, up 36% from $202,364 in 2024. Verisk CargoNet
CargoNet recorded 3,594 supply chain crime events across the United States and Canada in 2025, essentially unchanged from the 3,607 events reported in 2024. However, incidents involving confirmed cargo theft rose sharply, increasing 18% year-over-year from 2,243 to 2,646.
“Criminal enterprises are becoming more selective and sophisticated, targeting extremely high value shipments rather than relying on opportunistic theft,” said Keith Lewis, vice president of operations at Verisk CargoNet. “This strategic shift explains how losses can rise 60% even as overall incident volume holds steady.”
[Related: How carriers can fight freight fraud boom]
Geographically, theft activity continued to expand beyond traditional hotspots. California remained the most impacted state with 1,218 incidents, but activity shifted away from Los Angeles County (down 11%) toward historically lower-risk regions such as Kern County (up 82%) and San Joaquin County (up 44%). Several other states saw significant increases, including New Jersey (up 50%), Indiana (up 30%), and Pennsylvania (up 24%).
Shifts in targeted commodities were also notable, the firm reported.
- Food and beverage products experienced the largest increase, with 708 thefts -- a 47% jump from 2024.
- Meat and seafood products and tree nuts were particularly affected, with trends varying by region. Meat and seafood were heavily targeted in the Northeast, especially New Jersey, while tree nut thefts were more common on the West Coast.
- Metals theft also rose 77%, driven by ongoing demand for copper products.
- Electronics: Thieves changed just what they targeted in this category last year. Theft of consumer-grade electronics such as televisions and personal computers declined, while enterprise computer components and cryptocurrency mining hardware increased.
- Vehicle related products -- including tires, auto parts, and motor oils -- also remained attractive to thieves, with a notable focus on engines and components bound for domestic vehicle assembly plants.
[Related: How fleets, trucking industry can prevent cargo theft]
Thieves also shifted which electronics they tended to target last year. Theft of consumer-grade electronics such as televisions and personal computers declined, while enterprise computer components and cryptocurrency mining hardware increased.
Vehicle related products -- including tires, auto parts, and motor oils -- also remained attractive to thieves, with a notable focus on engines and components bound for domestic vehicle assembly plants.
Looking ahead for 2026, CargoNet expects continued targeting of high-value technology products, particularly RAM modules, storage drives, and enterprise computing equipment.
Theft by deception groups are also anticipated to increase their focus on misdirecting shipments tendered to legitimate carriers, sidestepping compliance controls that have traditionally centered on the tendering process itself.
CargoNet noted that it’s also monitoring developments around non-domiciled CDL enforcement. The firm said many complex cargo theft schemes rely on acquiring existing motor carriers with strong load histories. Increased enforcement may reduce available capacity and expand the pool of carriers for sale, potentially creating new opportunities for criminal enterprises to establish fraudulent operations.
[Related: How much cargo theft really costs trucking]
FMCSA requests nominations for Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee, Medical Review Board
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is soliciting nominations for two committees that report to the agency on trucking-related issues.
The Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee provides advice and recommendations about needs, objectives, plans, approaches, content, and accomplishments of the motor carrier safety programs carried out by FMCSA and motor carrier safety regulations.
The MCSAC was established in 2006, and its charter was renewed in December. It’s expected to meet twice per year. The committee will report to the Transportation Secretary through the FMCSA administrator and be made up of no more than 20 members. The members will include representatives of the motor carrier industry, including small business motor carriers and individual commercial motor vehicle drivers, safety advocates, and safety enforcement officials.
Past members of the advisory committee are welcome to apply, FMCSA said. The DOT is interested in ensuring membership is balanced fairly in terms of the points of view represented and the functions to be performed by the advisory committee.
Qualified individuals can self-nominate or be nominated by any individual or organization. To be considered for MCSAC, nominators should submit the following information:
- Name, title, and relevant contact information (including phone, fax, and email address) of the individual requesting consideration
- A letter of support from a company, union, trade association, academic, or nonprofit organization on letterhead containing a brief description why the nominee should be considered for membership
- A short biography of nominee, including professional and academic credentials
- An affirmative statement that the nominee meets all MCSAC eligibility requirements
Nominations must be submitted by Feb. 23. Information on submitting a nomination can be found here. Nominees selected for appointment to MCSAC will be notified by return email and by a letter of appointment.
Additionally, FMCSA is seeking nominations for its Medical Review Board, which is made up of no more than five members selected from medical institutions and private practice. The MRB provides FMCSA “with medical advice and recommendations on medical standards and guidelines for the physical qualifications of operators of commercial motor vehicles, medical examiner education, and medical research,” according to its charter.
ATA names 2026-’27 America’s Road Team Captains
The American Trucking Associations has announced its new team of Captains to the 2026-‘27 America’s Road Team. The 20 drivers will serve as ambassadors for the trucking industry, traveling around the country to promote safe driving and highlight the various career opportunities within trucking.
“This group of professional drivers have earned their place at the top through years of hard work, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to safety on the road,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “They represent a vital segment of the American workforce, one whose impact is felt by nearly every person in the country. As these Captains take to the road with a new mission and an important message, we are incredibly proud of their achievements and confident the nation will gain valuable insights from their leadership and the example they set for our industry.”
Established in 1986, America’s Road Team is comprised of truck drivers recognized for exceptional safety and professionalism. Supported by their companies, Captains volunteer their time to represent the trucking industry by participating in industry events, visiting schools, and engaging with policymakers nationwide.
This group of drivers represents 13 states, including four veterans, one independent contractor, and professionals from both small and large carriers, and collectively brings 51 million miles of safe driving experience.
America’s Road Team is sponsored by Volvo Trucks and is entering its 25th year of partnership this October. The new Captains will tour the country in ATA’s Interstate One Image Truck – a Volvo VNL 860 – towing an American flag-emblazoned trailer that features a state-of-the-art truck driving simulator and mobile classroom.
After receiving their signature navy blue America's Road Team blazers, the new Captains will immediately begin their work improving public perception of the trucking industry.
The 2026-2027 America’s Road Team Captains are:
- Cardell Benfield Jr., Titan Transfer (CCJ Top 250, No. 149), Mississippi
- Victor Blackburn, Prime Inc. (No. 15), Florida
- Antonio Cruz, Groendyke Transport (No. 84), Florida
- Jason Damron, Convoy Systems, Kansas
- Nathan Evans, Tyson Foods, Arkansas
- Bruce Hoyes, ABF Freight Systems (No. 19), Missouri
- Izet Kantarevic, Werner Enterprises (No. 14), Missouri
- Matthew McKnew, ABF Freight Systems, California
- Matt Meadows, ABF Freight Systems, West Virginia
- Myles Piotrowski, FedEx Freight (No. 1), Indiana
- Selvin Ramirez, XPO (No. 10), Rhode Island
- Jackie Reed, FedEx Freight, Mississippi
- Jeffrey Reed, United Parcel Service (No. 2), New Mexico
- Miguel Sanchez, United Parcel Service, Florida
- Matthew Simon, FedEx Freight, Minnesota
- Omar Stebbins, XPO, Florida
- David Swierenga, FedEx Freight, Florida
- Dave Thomas, ABF Freight Systems, Iowa
- Kenneth Tolliver, Hoffman Transportation, Kentucky
- Ryan Ybarra, United Parcel Service, California
