Germany faces a deepening logistics crisis as its rivers run dry today. Heat waves and prolonged drought have shrunk the Rhine, Danube, and Elbe.
Sandbanks have emerged widely, bringing river freight transport to a complete standstill.
Transport Minister Steffen Bilger temporarily lifted the Sunday and holiday truck ban. Economists call it inadequate, since one barge equals one hundred fifty trucks.
Environmentalists strongly oppose deepening riverbeds, arguing rivers must regain natural winding courses. Scientists warn worsening heat and drought demand swift, radical climate action now.