A landmark steel bridge in the Netherlands will be disassembled to accommodate Jeff Bezos’ gigantic new yacht.
Bloomberg reports that the 417-foot-long boat, still under construction in Alblasserdam, Netherlands, cannot fit underneath a 95-year old bridge called De Hef.
Jeff Bezos's 417-foot yacht is so big that it's forcing the dismantling of a Dutch bridge https://t.co/ixtACvTErn via @DevPend
— Nick Turner (@NewsyNick) February 2, 2022
That presents a major problem for yacht-maker Oceanco, which must sail Bezos’ $500 million custom order – named Y721 – past the bridge in order to deliver it to the Amazon founder.
Therefore, the company has arranged to have the bridge temporarily taken apart this summer.
The Washington Post, which Bezos owns, notes that De Hef is a national monument. The outlet reports:
The bridge underwent a major restoration from 2014 to 2017, after which the city said it would not be dismantled again, according to the Dutch broadcaster Rijnmond, which first reported on the yacht agreement.
Although the exact plans, timetable and costs have not been set, Oceano and Bezos will pay to dismantle the bridge, Rijnmond reported.
Bloomberg adds:
Rotterdam council project leader Marcel Walravens defended the city’s decision to allow the bridge to be dismantled, telling local broadcaster Rijnmond it was the “only alternative” to complete what the municipality considers “a very important project” economically.
“This man has earned his money by structurally cutting staff, evading taxes, avoiding regulations and now we have to tear down our beautiful national monument?” Rotterdam politician Stephan Leewis tweeted. “That is really going a bridge too far.”
NEW: A historic bridge in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam is to be partly DISMANTLED to allow a gigantic $485 million super-yacht built for Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to pass underneath.
Who else thinks Bezos should pay his FAIR SHARE in taxes? ✋
— Jon Cooper (@joncoopertweets) February 3, 2022
The Guardian reports that “887 superyachts were sold in 2021.” The outlet continues:
While maritime construction yards are keen to promote the green credentials of many superyachts, they are major polluters. It has been estimated a superyacht with permanent crew, helicopter pad, submarines and pools emits about 7,020 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, more than 1,500 times higher than a typical family car.