Research by the British Standards Institution (BSI) has shown that supply chain thefts rose by more than half (56%) in 2025.
BSI’s 2026 Supply Chain Risks and Opportunities Report argues that global supply chains are facing an increasingly complex and interconnected risk environment, with disruptions no longer able to be managed as isolated incidents. It is available here, following the provision of contact information.
Expanding tariffs, export controls and shifting trade policies caused huge problems during 2025 in terms of raised costs but they also introduced new risks, including increased exposure to theft as supply chain restructuring took place throughout global routes.
The BSI report shows that hijacking remained the most common tactic globally, accounting for 20% of all incidents, and with Brazil accounting for 32% of all incidents, closely followed by Mexico (31%). In-transit theft continued to be the most targeted location of cargo thefts, accounting for 30% of all incidents in 2025.
“Strategic theft — highly organised, deceptive crime often involving fraud rather than force — now accounts for around 5% of incidents globally,” the report states. “Incidents are often cyber-enabled, using phishing, spoofed carriers or stolen identities to gain access to legitimate shipments and divert cargo.”
Given the current situation in Iran, the BSI has warned that it is even more important that organisations strengthen resilience and risk-mitigation efforts.
