SupplyChainBrain Podcast's bonus episode features SupplyChainBrain Editor-in-Chief Bob Bowman in conversation with Bloodhound Tracking Device, Inc. CEO Curtis Spencer about cargo theft tracking and security trends. The conversation was recorded at the 2025 Intermodal Expo organized by IANA (Intermodal Association of North America) in Long Beach. From a supply chain perspective, Bloodhound Tracking Device, Inc. is a U.S.-based provider of covert cargo tracking devices and security solutions — among its core products are battery-powered GPS-based trackers, covert devices installed at the container, trailer, and pallet level, and real-time alert systems. Curtis Spencer is CEO of Bloodhound. Robert J. Bowman (Bob Bowman) is Editor-in-Chief of SupplyChainBrain — one of the industry's most experienced editors. Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) is the leading U.S. rail intermodal industry organization — it provides a platform among intermodal transportation companies, Class I railroad players, intermodal marketing companies (IMC), chassis providers, and driver organizations. Joni Casey is President & CEO of IANA — serving in a long-standing capacity. Intermodal Expo is IANA's flagship annual conference — bringing together the U.S. rail/truck intermodal sector.
From a supply chain perspective, the U.S. cargo theft crisis has reached record levels in the 2024-2025 period. CargoNet (Verisk) reported 3,798 cargo theft incidents in the U.S. and Canada in 2024 — a 26% year-over-year increase, with stolen goods valued at over $455 million. Strategic theft (fictitious pickup, identity theft, double-brokering) has become the leading category of cargo theft cases in 2024. Real-time GPS tracking, geofencing, tamper detection, covert tracking devices, seal integrity monitoring, and door sensor are primary security technologies. Key tracking and visibility platforms include BloodHound Tracking, Spireon (Solera), Skybitz (Telular), Samsara, Geotab, Verizon Connect, Trimble, ORBCOMM, Sensata Technologies, Phillips Connect, Tive, Roambee, Project44, FourKites, Overhaul, Sensitech, Controlant, and OnAsset Intelligence. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, LTE-M, 5G, and satellite (Iridium, Globalstar, Inmarsat, Starlink) are primary IoT connectivity protocols.
From a supply chain perspective, the U.S. intermodal transportation ecosystem's leading Class I rail carriers include BNSF Railway (Berkshire Hathaway), Union Pacific, CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern, Canadian National (CN), Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), and Kansas City Southern de Mexico (CPKC subsidiary). Key IMC (Intermodal Marketing Company) players include Hub Group, J.B. Hunt Intermodal, Schneider Intermodal, STG Logistics, NFI Intermodal, RoadOne IntermodaLogistics, BNSF Logistics, UP Distribution Services, Knichel Logistics, Mode Global, and Pacer International (merging with XPO). Leading chassis pool providers include TRAC Intermodal, DCLI (Direct ChassisLink Inc), FlexiVan, Milestone Equipment Holdings, and SeaCastle. UIIA (Uniform Intermodal Interchange Agreement) is the standard contract for intermodal equipment interchange. Major U.S. intermodal hubs include Chicago (BNSF Logistics Park Chicago Joliet, UP Global IV Joliet, CSX Bedford Park, Norfolk Southern Landers), Memphis, Dallas-Fort Worth, Kansas City, Atlanta, Charleston, Savannah, Columbus Ohio (Rickenbacker), Los Angeles-Long Beach, Oakland, and Seattle-Tacoma.
From a supply chain perspective, the global cargo theft ecosystem includes key industry organizations such as BSI Supply Chain, TT Club (through transport mutual), FreightWatch International (SensiGuard), National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA), National Cargo Theft Task Force (NCTTF), and FBI Cargo Theft Task Force. TAPA FSR (Facility Security Requirements), TSR (Trucking Security Requirements), and PSR (Parking Security Requirements) are the most widely adopted global security standards. C-TPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism), AEO (Authorized Economic Operator), FAST (Free and Secure Trade), and SAFE Framework of Standards (WCO; World Customs Organization) are primary security and compliance programs. Cargo theft hot spots in the U.S. include California (particularly San Bernardino and Los Angeles County), Texas, Florida, Illinois, Georgia, and New Jersey as primary risk areas — globally, Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, India, China, and Russia rank among the highest-risk countries. In conclusion, the conversation between Curtis Spencer and Bowman reflects a concrete manifestation of cargo security rising as an industry priority in intermodal operations.
Key Points:
1. Bob Bowman conducts a cargo theft/security conversation with Curtis Spencer.
2. The conversation was recorded at IANA 2025 Intermodal Expo in Long Beach.
3. Bloodhound Tracking Device provides covert GPS-based cargo trackers.
4. U.S. cargo theft in 2024 recorded 3,798 incidents with $455M in stolen goods.
5. Strategic theft has become the leading theft category.
