MILAN: November 08, 2016. Air cargo handler and trucking company Alha Group has had 35 of its vehicles certified by the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA).

Based at Milan Malpensa, Alha operates 130 trucks equipped with advanced security including live monitoring, geo-localization and geo-fencing systems, and handles more than 350,000 tonnes of air cargo a year - 65 percent of the airport's throughput.

Alha says it is the only EMEA region air cargo handler holding three TAPA Certifications: TAPA Air Cargo Security Standards (TACSS), Facility Security Requirement (FSR), and Transport Security Requirement (TSR).

"TAPA TSR certification shows Alha commitment to guarantee the transported goods' security," said CEO Lorenzo Schettini Gherardini. "We are very pleased to have achieved this recognition because it rewards our efforts and allows us to offer an excellent service to our customers."

The certification follows TAPA's presentation of a truck park plan to the European Commission's expert group on land transport security, in a bid to minimize losses from supply chains in the EMEA region.

TAPA said 86 percent of all recorded cargo crimes last year involved trucks, and 57 percent were from unsecured parking locations.

The association said the aim of its proposal is to identify secure parking places through certification, partnership and mutual recognition. An online tool will soon be available for its Manufacturer and Logistics Service Provider members incorporating a route planner, secure parking locator, site information and contact details, plus the locations of previous cargo crimes reported to TAPA on the routes companies are planning to use.

Jason Breakwell, vice chairman of TAPA EMEA commented: "The challenges facing transport operators in our region cannot be ignored. Cargo crime is not going away. We expect this to be the worst year for recorded freight thefts in over five years in the EMEA region."

He added that in Europe 75 percent of all products, some 18 billion tonnes, are delivered by truck every year. "That means there is tremendous growth potential for parking operators that respond to the call for greater security from their potential customers."