Secure parking programme launched to protect cargo

The Transported
Asset Protection
Association (Tapa)
Europe, Middle East
and Africa (EMEA) is set
to launch its new secure
parking programme by the
middle of this year to help its
members protect their high
value cargo across the supply
chain.
“Phase 1 of the project
entails looking for members
who are able to assist us as
country points of contact for
potential parking sites that
would be eligible to be part
of the scheme,” said a Tapa
spokesperson.
The need for secure
parking for trucks carrying
high-value cargo was
underpinned by research
undertaken by global
company Researchgate on
behalf of Tapa in 2015.
Lead author of the report,
Daniel Ekwall, points out
that approximately 41% of
all incidents involving theft
of high-value cargo on the
roads occurred in transit and
approximately 60% during
a stop.
Furthermore, research
indicates that incidents
occurring outside the
facilities (non-secured
parking and en-route)
account for 78% of all
incidents.
A recent International
Road Transport Union report
indicated that cargo theft
occurred most frequently in
trucks parked temporarily at
the roadside, often awaiting
loading and unloading
opportunities.
Research conducted by
Nelisiwe Magubane and
Mala Ramanna from the
Interdisciplinary Accident
Research Centre of KwaZulu
Natal, on behalf of Arrive
Alive, showed that when
high-value cargo was involved
hijacking operations were
target-specific and often
outlets and potential markets
were developed long before
the hijacking occurred,
highlighting the need for
more safe truck stops.
“Alternatively, along the
route there should be lay-bys
constructed with stadium
lights and security,” said
Magubane, pointing out that
the N3 in particular was
regarded as dangerous.