Europe’s Clogged Arteries Drive Up Costs and Uncover Bombs
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Germany’s driest November has shrunk Europe’s rivers, creating monthlong delays for oil- and ore-carrying barges while uncovering the continent’s deadly past.
The city of Koblenz evacuated 45,000 residents on Nov. 28 after the Rhine River’s retreat to a 20-year low exposed an unexploded 1.8-ton World War II bomb in 40 centimeters (16 inches) of water. Falling water levels on the Rhine and the Danube are pushing up shipping costs at companies including ArcelorMittal, the world’s biggest steelmaker, and chemical company BASF SE as they turn to road transport or make more barge trips with smaller loads.