Security Buyer takes a brief look at the physical locking mechanisms of haulage vehicles, and also new innovative technologies, such as blockchain, that can remotely prevent cargo theft
Hauliers are presented with many challenges in the day-to-day running of their job. Not only is the logistics industry faced with a labour shortage, changing legislation around Brexit, Covid-19 difficulties as well as the Amazon Effect, but safety and security of goods and personnel on the road is also a major concern. Cargo theft and immigration are the two top security concerns when it comes to the physical driving of lorries around the world. There are a number of solutions that truckers can implement inside their vehicles to help mitigate risk, however fleet managers should be installing Secured by Design solutions on the vehicles themselves. This may include padlocks and locking mechanisms in addition to the access control already built in to lorry doors, CCTV for high value cargo, but also alternative track and traceability solutions to protect cargo with the likes of blockchain technology.
Physical security
Securing your assets against theft and interference whilst in transit is more important than ever in our globally-connected world. Security seals are an important part of the security process; helping to ensure that your goods arrive at their destination as expected, without delay.
“We truck everything from a single flight case to everything required for a complete music tour production,” says Director Lance Lovell, ACME. “Our trailers need to be built to the highest standard to ensure maximum load security.” Lovell highlights that it’s not just the flush-fit steel back doors with their integrated double-locking that is priority, but the way the body is constructed, using galvanised steel cassette panels. Haul munitions, explosives and other hazardous cargo and security has to be the top priority. There are many different types of doors and locking mechanisms that can be integrated into trucks and lorries depending on their size and cargo. Some of the most popular are outlined below with their security benefits.
Security Labels: Small transit and other small courier vans do not feature locking hasps or other features which would allow for sealing by way of an indicative pull-tight or fixed length seal.
Instead, non-residue security labels can be placed on the seam of vehicle doors, preventing access without removing the label and de-facing the surface, leaving a VOID message through the seal. Non-Residue labels have the advantage in that they do not leave a residue on the surface of the doors, avoiding damage to paintwork.
Indicative Pull-Tite Seals: Vans and other vehicles with roller-shutter doors feature hasp and staple-style locking arrangements. For these types of locks, we recommend use of a pull-tite or “pull-through” tamper-evident seal, which can be secured tightly around the mechanism, preventing interference by opportunists.
Pull-through seals are available in many different sizes and configurations.
Fixed-Length / Ring Seals: Trailer doors are available with a number of different locking mechanisms, and so the preferred security seal will depend on the mechanism in question – either pull-through or fixed-length seals are recommended.
Fixed-length or “ring” seals, form a secured loop through a locking aperture. Ring seals do not “pull tight” around the locking arrangement, meaning that they can be freely rotated, checked and inspected for signs of tampering more easily.
High-Security Bolt Seals & Plastic Indicative Seals (empty loads only): Fully-loaded shipping containers which are being moved internationally require sealing by way of a security seal designated and tested as ‘high-security’ according to ISO17712 and CT-PAT regulations. High-security bolt seals are one of the most well-established on the market and fully compliant with regulations.
Flexible Cable Seals: The valuable and potentially hazardous contents of tankers are at risk of interference, theft and fraud, especially whilst in transit and away from the legitimate user.
This makes it crucial that sensitive and valuable access points, such as valves, meters and hatches are strongly secured against tampering. Flexible, variable length and very strong cable security seals are ideal for ensuring such access points are secured against interference.
Guidance
The Cargo and Road Transport (CART) Security Guide was written in collaboration with industry heavyweights and was created to provide a better insight into the security risks posed to operators – and potential solutions that can be adopted.
Contributors include DIPS (Distribution Industry Partnership Scotland), the RHA, DHL, RSA (Royal Sun Alliance) Insurance Group, Motorway Buddy, Maple Fleet Services and NaVCIS (National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service), who each provided insight and professional opinion drawn from their experience within their market sector.
To read the full exclusive see our latest issue here.
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Editor, Security Portfolio
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