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On 23 March, CLECAT’s Supply Chain Security Institute met to discuss recent legislative and non-legislative developments in the areas of land transport, aviation, and cybersecurity. Discussions reflected a growing recognition that security risks are becoming more complex, cross-border in nature, and increasingly intertwined with digital vulnerabilities.

Members debated the evolving nature of cargo theft and the marked shift from traditional physical theft towards more sophisticated, deception-based methods, in particular identity theft and the use of so-called “phantom carriers”. These incidents are associated with significantly higher financial losses and expose structural vulnerabilities in operational processes, especially in fast-moving and digitally managed logistics environments. In response, CLECAT is intensifying its work in this area, including the development of a dedicated industry campaign on cargo theft aimed at strengthening awareness, promoting proportionate due diligence practices, and fostering more consistent risk prevention across the sector. Members also underlined the importance of a more coherent European approach to cargo theft, noting that fragmented reporting and limited data comparability across Member States continue to obscure the scale and nature of the problem. Strengthened cooperation between industry, enforcement authorities and EU institutions will be essential to address this gap.

Beyond road transport, discussions also covered developments in air cargo security. In this context, members reflected on the ongoing challenges related to the screening of hermetically sealed containers, where current technologies remain insufficient to provide effective and scalable solutions. The debate highlighted the need for continued innovation and a realistic, risk-based approach to security requirements, ensuring that regulatory measures remain both effective and operationally feasible.

Finally, the Institute reiterated the strategic importance of Safe and Secure Truck Parking Areas (SSTPAs) as a key component of the EU’s security infrastructure. While progress is being made, significant gaps remain in both capacity and certification, limiting their effectiveness in mitigating cargo theft risks and supporting driver wellbeing.