Cargo and Equipment Theft in Trucking: The Hidden Cost on the Road
Cargo and equipment theft has become one of the biggest issues in trucking today. This isn’t about a few missing pallets or a GPS unit gone missing. We’re talking about full truckloads, stolen trailers, and entire semis disappearing without a trace. It’s organized, it’s planned, and it’s hitting carriers and brokers across North America.
The Reality
In 2024, over 3,600 cargo theft incidents were reported across Canada and the United States, a 27 percent jump from the year before. The average stolen load was worth about 200,000 U.S. dollars. Total industry losses are estimated at more than 35 billion annually.
Criminals are evolving. Many thefts don’t involve cutting locks anymore. Instead, they use fake carrier profiles, cloned paperwork, and fraudulent load bookings to get freight legally released to them. It’s a mix of old-school theft and modern digital fraud that’s becoming a major threat to the supply chain.
The Signs Were There Early
The truth is, this problem didn’t come out of nowhere. I started noticing early signs years ago. By 2017, I experienced it firsthand with an attempted theft of my own semi truck. That incident made it clear where things were heading. What used to be rare was quickly becoming routine.
And it hasn’t stopped. Even as recently as October 2025, I had my loading ramps stolen at a truck stop in Texas. It’s a reminder that this problem isn’t slowing down. It’s spreading and evolving. What used to be a once-in-a-while risk is now part of everyday trucking life.
Those early incidents were warnings of what we’re facing today. Organized theft networks study trucking operations, track patterns, and strike where fleets are most vulnerable.
Equipment Theft on the Rise
It’s not just the freight being stolen anymore. The trucks and trailers themselves are now prime targets.
In early 2025, 135 semi-trucks and 204 trailers were reported stolen across North America, both up nearly 40 percent from the year before. In Canada, the total value of stolen trucks, trailers, and loads has surpassed 531 million dollars since 2019. Ontario and Alberta are leading the list, with British Columbia not far behind.
These thefts aren’t random. They happen in industrial zones, unsecured lots, and truck stops anywhere a rig can sit long enough to be cased and taken.
Where It Happens
Most thefts in Canada occur in unsecured parking areas, warehouses, and truck stops. About 64 percent of the incidents involve full truckloads, while the rest are partial or pilfered loads. Thieves target high-value cargo such as electronics, food, and building materials.
In the United States, Texas, California, and Illinois account for nearly half of all cargo thefts. High-volume freight lanes and unsecured drop yards are the biggest risk areas.
Why It Keeps Getting Worse
As trucking becomes more digital, thieves are becoming more advanced. Load boards and dispatch platforms make it easier to connect carriers and brokers, but they also make it easier for scammers to fake credentials. A thief can create a fake company, book a legitimate load, and disappear before anyone notices the paperwork doesn’t match.
How Carriers Can Protect Themselves
Secure all parking areas and avoid leaving loaded trailers unattended.
Verify driver and truck information before releasing freight.
Double-check broker details and watch for suspicious listings.
Use GPS tracking and geofencing on trucks and trailers.
Report thefts immediately to police and industry databases like CargoNet or Overhaul.
Final Word
Cargo and equipment theft isn’t a one-off problem anymore. It’s organized, growing, and becoming harder to detect. Whether you’re running lanes in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, or across the United States, the risk is real. The signs were there early. I saw them firsthand in 2017, and even today it hasn’t slowed down.
One stolen trailer or piece of equipment can wipe out weeks of work. Protect your assets, verify every deal, and make theft prevention part of your daily routine. Awareness and preparation are the best tools we have right now.
Join the ProTruck Community
At ProTruck Solutions, we’re truckers too. We’ve faced the same challenges, including theft attempts and long nights keeping equipment safe.
Our mission is to keep you in the know.
Big Carriers Falling: What’s Going On and Why It Matters to You
The freight market is shifting fast and not in a good way for a lot of fleets. Rates are soft, fuel and insurance are high, and more major carriers are closing their doors across the United States, Canada, and even overseas. The reality is simple: too much capacity, not enough freight, and not enough margin to keep big iron moving.
Major U.S. carrier shutdowns
Montgomery Transport in Alabama operated around 450 tractors and 800 employees. The company filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in October 2025 and shut down immediately.
Carroll Fulmer Logistics in Florida ran about 400 trucks and 1,700 trailers. It ceased operations in late July 2025 after more than 70 years in business.
TGS Transportation in California closed at the end of July 2025 after 40 years in the port drayage and logistics sector, operating about 150 trucks.
Epic Lightning Fast Service in California issued a WARN notice for 116 layoffs and permanently closed on October 31, 2025.
GSC Enterprises in California, a Port of Oakland drayage and warehouse operator, closed in July 2025, affecting roughly 200 employees.
Recent Canadian closures and enforcement
Panjaab Transport in Ontario operated about 30 to 35 trucks and 70 trailers before entering receivership in October 2025.
Tyson in Ontario operated about 30 to 35 trucks and 70 trailers before being placed into receivership in September 2025.
A.S.K. Courier Express in Alberta, a regional carrier with about 40 units, declared bankruptcy in August 2025.
SHR Carrier in Ontario, a group of smaller logistics firms under one umbrella with around 30 trucks combined, entered receivership in May 2025.
Tung Air Transport and R. Lessard Trucking in Ontario and Quebec had a combined 70 trucks and 200 trailers before entering receivership in April 2025.
Beyond financial collapses, enforcement is tightening. In Alberta, regulators recently shut down 13 trucking companies and five truck driver training schools over safety and compliance failures. Several were identified as “chameleon carriers,” changing names to avoid oversight. Canadian regulators are sending a clear message that unsafe and non-compliant operations will be removed from the road.
Why it matters
When big carriers disappear, the market reshuffles. Cross-border lanes tighten, rates become volatile, and shippers look for reliable and compliant partners who can deliver when others can’t. For those running clean and disciplined operations, there is opportunity, but this is not the time to get sloppy. Inspections, paperwork, and safety audits are increasing everywhere.
What to do now
Audit your operation. Review your driver files, insurance, maintenance records, and financials before someone else does.
Stay inspection ready. Organized paperwork and clean equipment save time and money.
Protect your margins. Avoid running cheap freight just to stay busy.
Use this moment. When weaker carriers fail, strong ones grow.
My take
This market is tough, but opportunity always shows up during a shakeout. Strong carriers are built in the hard times, not in the easy years. Keep your compliance tight, your reputation clean, and your systems consistent. The ones who stay steady now will own the lanes when the dust settles.
If you want to stay up to date on FMCSA changes, Canadian enforcement, and industry regulations, join the ProTruck Community and stay ahead of the game.
FMCSA’s English Rule & Non-Domiciled CDLs: Why Canadians Should Care
Let’s keep it real - FMCSA’s cracking down again, and this time it’s hitting where a lot of fleets got lazy: English proficiency and non-domiciled CDLs.
The English rule isn’t new, it’s written right into 49 CFR §391.11(b)(2). That section says a commercial driver must be able to read and speak English well enough to talk with the public, understand traffic signs, respond to officers, and fill out reports.
Lately, inspectors have been enforcing it hard again. If your driver can’t hold a basic conversation at the scale, explain their log, or read a sign, they’re getting parked. No arguments, no “I didn’t know.”
At the same time, FMCSA dropped new rules tightening who can get or renew a U.S. non-domiciled CDL. Thousands of drivers are already being reviewed or removed, and the fallout is real.
Why it matters for Canadian carriers
Most Canadian drivers run on provincial CDLs recognized in the U.S., but this wave of enforcement still affects us. Expect longer border waits, more language checks, and stricter paperwork reviews.
If your team runs cross-border, now’s the time to:
Coach drivers on roadside communication and inspection basics.
Clean up driver files and make sure everyone’s documentation is spotless.
Add buffer into ETAs - a few extra minutes can save you hours of downtime.
The message is simple: enforcement is catching up to rules that have always existed. If you’re compliant, you’ll move faster while everyone else scrambles.
If you want to stay up to date on FMCSA changes and industry regulations, join the ProTruck Community and stay ahead of the game.
5 Things New Trucking Entrepreneurs Learn the Hard Way. But You Don’t Have To.
Starting a trucking business can be one of the most profitable and punishing moves you’ll ever make. Between compliance, cash flow, and customer headaches, there’s a steep learning curve no CDL or dispatch course fully prepares you for.
Here are 5 hard truths most new carriers and brokers learn the hard way:
1. Rate Per Mile Means Nothing Without Knowing Your Cost
A $2.5 per mile load might sound great until you factor in fuel, dispatch fees, tolls, and deadhead. If you don’t know your cost per mile, you’re just guessing.
2. Not Every Load Is Worth It
Desperate brokers, disorganized shippers, and nightmare receivers can cost you more than you make. Choose who you work with wisely. Not every dollar is worth the stress.
3. Paperwork = Payment
Late PODs, sloppy invoices, and missing details all delay your money. Create a clean, repeatable system from the start.
4. Compliance Isn’t Optional
CVOR audits, maintenance logs, and Hours of Service rules can’t be ignored. One mistake could cost you your operating status. Stay clean or risk getting shut down.
5. Relationships Beat Load Boards
Load boards are useful when you’re starting out, but the real money is in repeat freight. Build relationships with brokers and direct shippers who value consistency.
Final Thought:
Trucking isn’t easy, but it’s worth it when you run it right. Want help setting up your operation the smart way? Grab our eBook, check out the full training, or join the ProTruck community.
New U.S. English Language Rule: What Canadian Drivers Need to Know
Effective June 25, 2025, the United States will begin strictly enforcing English language proficiency for all CDL drivers operating within U.S. borders - including those from Canada. Under this new policy, drivers who can’t meet the standard during a roadside inspection can be placed out of service immediately.
What’s Being Enforced?
This rule comes from 49 CFR 391.11(b)(2), which has always required drivers to be able to:
Converse in English with DOT officers
Read and interpret road signs
Complete basic written documentation (e.g., inspection reports)
Until now, it wasn’t actively enforced. That’s changed.
Starting June 25, officers will begin testing drivers directly at the roadside - and failure could mean serious consequences.
How Are Drivers Being Tested?
Inspectors will use a two-step English proficiency check:
1. English Conversation
Officers will ask questions such as:
What’s your name?
Where are you going?
What are you hauling?
Who do you work for?
The driver must respond clearly in English, without the use of translators or mobile apps.
2. Highway Sign Recognition
Drivers will be shown common U.S. road signs (like “Merge,” “Yield,” “No U-turn”) and must accurately explain their meaning.
What Happens If a Driver Fails?
Immediate out-of-service (OOS) order - the truck is parked on the spot
First offense: Up to 90-day CDL disqualification
Second offense (within 10 years): Up to 1-year suspension
Carrier impact: Delayed loads, driver downtime, and compliance violations
What Carriers Should Do Now
We at ProTruck Solutions, recommend the following steps to stay ahead:
Review English basics and sign meanings with all U.S.-bound drivers
Use mock interviews or prep sheets to check conversation skills
Make sure dispatch and safety teams are aware of this rule
Document training or internal assessments for future audits
This new enforcement is already creating confusion at the roadside - especially for cross-border drivers. Make sure your team understands what’s expected and is prepared to respond clearly during inspections.
Don’t get caught off guard.
Stay compliant by staying ahead - and staying informed.
4 Changes Coming to the Trucking Industry in 2025
It all begins with an idea.
June 25, 2025 - As we’re already halfway through 2025, the trucking industry has seen some important shifts. Here are four key changes you need to be aware of to keep your business running smoothly:
1. English Proficiency for U.S. Drivers
The U.S. has implemented stricter English proficiency requirements for commercial drivers. By now, drivers must be able to read, speak, and understand English to handle road signs, communicate with law enforcement, and manage paperwork. For cross-border operations, ensure your drivers meet these standards to stay compliant.
2. Advancements in Autonomous Trucking
Autonomous trucking technology continues to make progress in 2025, with more self-driving trucks being tested for long-haul routes. While we’re not seeing widespread use yet, these advancements are pushing the industry toward more automation. This could impact everything from operational safety to the future workforce.
3. ELD Mandates in Canada
As of mid-2025, trucks manufactured before the year 2000 in Canada are still exempt from the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate. This exemption remains in effect, despite circulating rumors suggesting otherwise.
4. Freight Rate Trends in Canada and the U.S.
Freight rates have been rising throughout 2025:
Canada: Dry Van rates have increased by 7%, Reefer by 5%, and Flatbed rates are seeing steady growth.
U.S.: Dry Van rates are averaging $2.02 per mile, Reefer at $2.34 per mile, and Flatbed at $2.58 per mile.
With these rate hikes, it's important to adjust your pricing and strategies to remain competitive and profitable.
by Protruck Solutions