Ella Bay preparations for the holiday weekend As Labor Day approaches on Monday, September 4, shippers, receivers, and carriers across the United States should be aware and plan accordingly for limited holiday hours over the three-day weekend and how it may affect their shipments. In years past, long holiday weekends such as Labor Day have recorded cargo theft rates significantly higher than the rest of the year. Thieves know that cargo will be left unattended for extended durations during this time and will use the opportunity to obtain targeted and high-value merchandise. Of note in 2023 is the prevalence of strategic thefts being practiced in all parts of the country. Organized cargo theft crews are practicing fraudulent and deceptive methods to obtain freight under the guise of legitimate business, and a holiday weekend can provide a longer lead time before the theft is discovered. Distribution centers and warehouses will also be targeted more aggressively during this time as the extended holiday often means limited if not zero operations and less security staff. The extended holiday can provide a longer lead time before the discovery of a break in as well. Ella Bay takes the following precautions to mitigate risk to your cargo - every day and each load. 1. We verify all calls and emails with the phone # or emails listed by the FMCSA. 2. We verify all new drivers with active dispatchers and carriers. 3. All drivers must be tracking prior to being dispatched on a load. 4. Any new carriers in business less than 1 year must have at least 3 references from other qualified Brokers. 5. We review Carrier411 Freight Guard reports for each carrier and disqualify those carriers with egregious or excessive reports. 6. We subscribe to email alerts from Overhaul.com. Overhaul provides real time intel - reporting incidents of theft and fraud as they occur - with recommended actions we can take to best protect your cargo while in our custody - as well as quarterly and annual reports detailing evolving threats to supply chain security. 7. We have insurance in place to far exceed industry standards, with $200,000 in Contingent Cargo coverage – in addition to meeting each shipper’s required Liability and Cargo coverages. We believe this excess insurance is important to protect our customers from all sources of peril naturally associated with our industry, whether it be Cargo or Liability. In light of the heightened risk, Ella Bay takes additional precautions to safeguard freight over the holiday weekend. 8. We confirm in advance if the receiver’s hours of operation will be affected by the holiday and adjust any schedules as needed to avoid unnecessary staging. 9. For over the road shipments, any stops made over the holiday period will be in well-lit, secured areas with trailer doors backed to a solid surface, if possible. Happy Labor Day! Enjoy your holiday and thank you again for your trust in the Ella Bay Companies.