I actually found that part pretty interesting, but admittedly it depends on what you already know and what you were hoping to get out of this article. To me, the radiation-disposal incident served as a nice set-up to explain the interlocking networks of containerized shipping and security, which aren't normally on my radar (I know all that exists, I just know nothing about it). I'll admit that if you approach it as a pure whodunnit, it's got a ton of padding and could be summarized in a paragraph or two.
I suppose they didn't want to hold off on publishing it for another several months until the investigators in Leipzig came to a conclusion as to its origin and reason for being in that container.
I'll get voted down for this but what the hell
It also starts with an intriguing hook but ends like a damp squid. I looked at the bottom thinking "oh great I have another three more pages to endure before finding out why the rod was there" and then realised that was it.