1. INTRODUCTION

This chapter provides an analysis of maritime cargo theft at the landside. That is, cargo that has been stolen at some point either between its origin and stowage on a vessel at a port or between its discharge from a vessel at a port and its ultimate destination. Historically, cargo theft such as stealing a tractor-trailer to acquire its goods has been reported as auto theft. Ultimately, the criminal is prosecuted according to the guidelines of auto theft irrespective of the intention to steal valuable cargo. The spirit of the law is similar around the world but each country or region has unique definitions of cargo theft.