How can the New TAPA EMEA Collaboration Platform with Trans.eu Help to Secure Road freight in EMEA?
In the 731 days of 2023 and 2024, for just five incident categories – Theft from Vehicle, Theft of Vehicle, Truck Theft, Theft from Trailer and Theft of Trailer – the TAPA EMEA Intelligence System (TIS) recorded…
- 16,951 cargo theft incidents,
- 18.7% of these shared a loss value
- = a combined loss of €203,144,039
- Across >90 countries
- Included 316 major thefts worth €100K or more
- The cost of major losses averaged €529,161
These recorded crimes were the equivalent of €277,898 of goods being stolen from trucks every 24 hours for two years.
The new TAPA EMEA Collaboration Platform in partnership with Trans.eu is designed to help secure high value roadfreight shipments and is working to have at least 25 active TAPA Trucking Security Requirements’ (TSR) certified road transport members offering capacity by the time it goes live towards the end of Q1 2025. Already, operators in Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and Portugal have signed up, with more in the pipeline.
TAPA EMEA invited Trans.eu’s Oliver Rebollo to tell us more…
It is no secret that amid these times of economic hardship, concerns over freight
fraud and cargo theft in the road transport industry have been soaring year-on-year and are at an unprecedented high.
This is precisely why Trans.eu and the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) in the Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) region have come together to create a dedicated platform that provides TAPA EMEA members with a secure digital space where they can connect with one another to book road transport services.
Named The TAPA EMEA Collaboration Platform, the new digital service provides TAPA EMEA Trucking Security Requirements (TSR)-certified members with a high-security digital environment to connect with other TAPA EMEA member companies looking to book secure roadfreight transportation with partners which comply with TAPA’s industry-leading supply chain security Standards.
By collaborating with other TAPA EMEA members that adhere to, or require, the same Standards, companies using the platform can reduce risk and tap into truck capacity on-demand provided by TSR-accredited service providers.
How does it all work, though? And what additional benefits can forwarders expect?
Here, we break down the concept of the TAPA EMEA Collaboration Platform and spell out the clear benefits for the TAPA EMEA members who choose to join.
Addressing the growing need for roadfreight security
Reported instances of cargo theft and attacks on supply chains are at a record high in the Europe, Middle East & Africa region and concern over fraudulent ‘carriers’ exploiting online freight exchanges to target loads is one of the risks shippers and their logistics service providers must overcome. Consequently, logistics and security professionals are understandably
hunting for more secure and transparent ways to move goods.
The TAPA EMEA Collaboration Platform has been designed to provide greater protection from such threats.
Each member offering road transport services in the network must have undergone and successfully completed TAPA’s rigorous TSR certification process, which strengthens the integrity of every interaction within the platform. This in turn creates a barrier against unauthorised access and virtually eliminates the risk of fraud.
Advanced security features
Moreover, to further reinforce security, The TAPA EMEA Collaboration Platform integrates Advanced Data Analytics and Automated GPS Visibility to provide forwarders with complete visibility and control over their freight operations.
These tools allow members to track shipments in real time, gaining insights into route-based risks and other factors that could impact freight security. For instance, GPS tracking enables carriers and shippers to monitor cargo movement along its route, ensuring that any anomalies are detected immediately, and response times are minimised.
In addition to real-time tracking, the platform leverages data analytics to provide actionable insights. By analysing data from previous routes, location-based theft incidents, and carrier performance, the platform can help members identify potential risks and implement preventative measures to minimise the risk of theft.
The value of collaboration with TAPA EMEA-certified carriers
As stressed earlier, one of the core features of The TAPA EMEA Collaboration Platform is its exclusivity. Only TAPA EMEA-certified members are allowed to join and offer roadfreight services. This restriction ensures that all participants meet the rigorous security and compliance standards established by TAPA EMEA, providing a high level of trust and reliability.
This exclusive approach to membership is more than just a measure for security; it enhances operational efficiency too. By narrowing the pool to TAPA EMEA-certified carriers, users avoid the time-consuming process of vetting each carrier manually, allowing them to focus on high-value tasks and respond quickly to logistics needs – especially during high-demand periods.
Streamlined compliance checks with TAPA’s TSR Standard requirements
Another standout element of the platform is its seamless integration with TAPA’s Trucking Security Requirements (TSR). The TAPA EMEA Collaboration Platform cross-checks each vehicle in the network to ensure compliance with TSR levels 1, 2, or 3, depending on the required security standards.
When a member uploads their certified licence plates, the system automatically verifies each vehicle’s certification status, preventing unauthorised carriers from accessing the network. This automated compliance check process streamlines operations and offers peace of mind for users. By handling verification in real-time, the platform also reduces the risk of fraud, enabling members to work within a secure and regulated environment without the need for manual security checks.
The integration of TSR Standards, therefore, forms a critical part of the platform’s mission to offer a secure, trustworthy space for exchanging freight.
Direct communication tools for seamless collaboration
In addition to the features already highlighted, the platform includes built-in communication tools that facilitate direct interaction with certified carriers. These tools allow users to manage transactions and address any operational concerns immediately, improving coordination and reducing delays.
Future innovations: a platform built for growth
As supply chain threats continue to increase and evolve, TAPA EMEA and Trans.eu are also committed to ongoing innovation within the platform. Upcoming developments will focus on additional security features, such as location-based theft-risk analysis, which will allow and enhance the way members assess and respond to potential risks based on specific routes
and locations.
Plans are also in place to integrate the full TIS (TAPA EMEA Intelligence System) functionalities, including secure parking options, to reduce the risk of cargo theft in high-risk areas.
Laying the foundations for collaboration between TAPA EMEA members for years to come
The TAPA EMEA Collaboration Platform is anything but a short-term solution. Its ambition is to deliver a paradigm shift in how security-first freight professionals can work together for mutual benefit.
By bringing together TAPA EMEA-certified carriers in a protected environment and providing an expanding suite of security tools, the platform is working to create a powerful springboard for long-term collaboration and success among TAPA EMEA members.
As more TAPA EMEA members join the platform, the network’s value will continue to grow, cultivating a credible and cooperative road transport community committed to high security standards.
Our aim is to forge valuable partnerships with carriers committed to top-tier freight security, and leverage advanced tools to safeguard your operations.
For more information on how to join the TAPA EMEA Collaboration Platform, please contact Oliver Rebollo, Business Development Manager at Trans.eu via orebollo@trans.eu
QUOTES
“At TAPA EMEA, our mission is to help our member companies minimise cargo crime losses from their supply chains and to increase their supply chain resilience. We do this by offering a robust choice of security solutions which have been created ‘by the industry, for the industry.’ Our job as the leading cargo security and supply chain resilience industry Association in the EMEA region is to always be looking for, and developing, new ways to protect high value, theft targeted products across the end-to-end supply chain. This partnership with Trans.eu to build this dedicated platform is another such initiative and it provides our members with a trusted and reliable environment to connect with carriers who meet TAPA’s supply chain security Standard for roadfreight transportation. This collaboration can produce a major step forward in helping our members mitigate risks while optimising their transport operations and we actively encourage companies to explore its value and potential for their logistics operations.”
Thorsten Neumann, President & CEO, TAPA EMEA
“By creating a platform that prioritises security through the use of TAPA’s Standards’ certifications, we’re building a trusted space. The platform is designed to make it easy for TAPA EMEA members to find reliable capacity, even during peak demand periods, while maintaining the highest levels of safety and security.”
Oliver Rebollo, Business Development Manager at Trans.eu
