Global supply chain disruption grows
Corruption, political instability, terrorist activity, and inadequate government resources have lead to an increase in supply chain disruption in the past year, according to research by BSI.
The company’s report also found an increase in cargo theft, which it says was mainly due to inadequate government resources and personnel shortages leaving shipments open to theft and stowaways.
The research found that the top commodities stolen globally were:
- Food and beverages
- Consumer goods
- Electronics
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Apparel and footwear
“This year’s annual review paints a worrying picture of supply chain disruption across the globe, which can impact the resilience of an organisation,” said Jim Yarbrough, global intelligence program manager, BSI. “Companies doing business across borders find themselves facing an increasingly wide range of challenges to their supply chain, from human rights issues to natural disasters and terrorist attacks.
“The number of cargo thefts is a serious concern for suppliers across the globe, as groups of organised criminals find new ways to disrupt cargo transit routes. While these issues directly affect a company’s bottom line they also pose a serious risk to a company’s hard-earned reputation.”