A barge carrying almost 200 containers from Florida to Puerto Rico ran aground recently in the Bahamas after the tow line connecting it to its tugboat failed amid windy conditions. The aftermath resembled a chaotic scene from a disaster zone, rather than a well-managed link in a modern supply chain. Looters descended on the stranded vessel, pried open all but 11 containers , and helped themselves to the contents. Many of the San Juan-bound goods were stolen, and others were simply dumped into the sea .

Just days later, another U.S. barge carrying scores of containers (and at least two automobiles ) from Alaska to Seattle began taking on water near British Columbia due to a hole in the vessel. Fortunately, quick work stabilized the vessel and averted another cargo ca

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