Washington, DC —Every year, our nation’s trains alongside trucks and barges deliver a stunning amount of consumer goods to Americans—nearly 59 tons of freight for each American. Intermodal shipping containers moving by rail carry all types of retail products, from our televisions and electronics to clothing and toys.
Recently, these types of shipments have become the target of escalating retail thefts across the supply chain. Class I railroads reported a stark 40% jump in thefts from 2023 to 2024, with more than 65,000 occurring last year. In response to a problem that is cascading throughout the supply chain—causing delays and higher prices—federal policymakers have introduced legislation to strengthen the government’s response.
Here’s a quick primer on the problem and what’s being proposed to address it:
Scope and scale: Theft is no longer an isolated issue for retailers. The National Retail Federation cited a 93% increase in organized retail theft between 2019 and 2023, resulting in an estimated $121.6 billion in losses in 2023 alone. Per CargoNet, there was a 27% increase in cargo theft across modes in 2024, with average losses exceeding $200,000 per case. From ports and trucking fleets to intermodal containers and railcars, the impacts are widespread—and growing.
No longer crimes of opportunity: The criminal groups committing these thefts are highly organized, using modern tactics and technology. They are well-resourced and many have transnational ties—meaning that railroads alone cannot disrupt their operations.
Breaking the cycle: Thefts cost railroads more than $100 million in 2024. But their estimates suggest that only one in ten theft attempts results in an arrest, and many are repeat offenses. One railroad reported arresting the same person 17 times for repeated attempts. Another individual was apprehended by a railroad five times in a single day.
A coordinated response: The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA), introduced by Sens. Chuck Grassley and Catherine Cortez Masto in April, aims to strengthen the federal response to these incidents. By improving cross-agency coordination, enhancing data sharing, and equipping law enforcement with more effective legal tools, CORCA addresses the limitations faced by state and local authorities in tackling these organized and interstate criminal networks.
Supply chain solidarity: With bipartisan backing and endorsements from multiple industries affected by organized crime, CORCA underscores the importance of protecting the full spectrum of supply chain operations. Improved enforcement and stronger deterrence will support the security and efficiency of freight movement, from intermodal trucks to railroads and ports.
Bottom line: For freight railroads, which transport 40% of the nation’s intercity freight and invest more than $23 billion annually into their infrastructure, CORCA represents a proactive step toward reducing service disruptions and maintaining network integrity. Stakeholders across the country are also urging Congress to act to strengthen national security, safeguard economic interests, and support the infrastructure that underpins both.
