Matson responds to growing cargo theft in intermodal shipments
Summary
Matson has introduced two additional security tiers for international cargo moving from Los Angeles through the BNSF rail network, responding to a documented increase in intermodal cargo theft. The program adds layered protection options for shippers at critical handoff points between ocean and rail transport. This targets a vulnerability window that theft operations have increasingly exploited as intermodal volume through West Coast ports has grown.
Why It Matters
Cargo theft in intermodal channels is a direct cost driver for manufacturers who depend on just-in-time inventory replenishment and lean buffer stock strategies. When a container of components goes missing between the Port of LA and an inland distribution point, the downstream effect is not just the replacement cost of goods — it is line stoppages, expedite freight premiums, and potential customer penalty clauses. The BNSF corridor is a primary artery for goods moving to Midwest and Southeast manufacturing clusters, meaning this program has practical relevance for a significant portion of domestic industrial supply chains. Manufacturers sourcing internationally should evaluate whether their logistics contracts include security-tiered options and quantify the risk exposure of current intermodal legs against the cost of upgraded protocols — particularly given that cargo theft losses in the U.S. exceeded $1 billion annually by recent industry estimates.