Jeff Bezos Goes a “Bridge Too Far” for His Superyacht

Earlier this month, Rotterdam has revealed that a historic bridge will be dismantled to make way for a superyacht built for Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The world’s largest luxury boat is being built by the Dutch company Oceanco and was linked to Mr. Bezos last year.

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Jeff Bezos’ superyacht is designed to be 417ft (127) long and 130ft (40m) tall—it is too tall to pass through Rotterdam’s historic Koningshaven Bridge, which drove the decision to temporarily dismantle the middle section of the landmark bridge.

According to Boat International, the vessel, dubbed Y721, will be the world’s largest of its kind. It is rumored to have a plethora of luxurious facilities, as well as an accompanying “support yacht” with a helicopter landing pad on order.

The De Hef bridge, also known as the Koningshaven bridge, was constructed in 1877. The bridge was severely damaged and reconstructed during World War II, and it was later designated as a historic monument. It underwent another restoration between 2014 and 2017, after which officials promised the bridge won’t be dismantled again.

Courtesy of Peter Dejong

Locals are Angry at Jeff Bezos for Dismantling a Historic Bridge

Disassembling a historic and national architectural landmark that has been renovated recently for a billionaire’s leisure vessel is surely controversial; the decision fired the anger of so many residents who threatened to throw rotten eggs at Jeff Bezos’ superyacht as it sails through the Rotterdam harbor.

Locals in Rotterdam are preparing a protest named “Throwing eggs at Jeff Bezos’ superyacht,” according to Business Insider. On Facebook, the event description reads, “Calling all Rotterdammers, take a box of rotten eggs with you and let’s throw them en masse at Jeff’s superyacht when it sails through the Hef in Rotterdam,”

“Rotterdam was built from the rubble by the people of Rotterdam, and we don’t just take that apart for the phallic symbol of a megalomaniac billionaire. Not without a fight!”

3,300 persons have confirmed their attendance, while 11,600 have expressed interest in attending.

“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 wrote on Twitter. “That is really going a bridge too far.”

In defense, and according to the AFP news agency, the mayor’s office stated that the idea was spurred by the jobs produced by the vessel’s construction and that the bridge will be reconstructed in its existing state within a couple of weeks—a  mayoral spokesman added that dismantling the historic bridge will be the superyacht’s only route to the sea, while Marcel Walravens, the project head for Rotterdam’s municipal authorities, agreed, saying that finishing the yacht’s construction elsewhere would be impractical.

Marcel Walravens also told the Rijnmond website that the project was “extremely essential” economically, citing Rotterdam’s reputation as Europe’s “maritime capital.”

“Shipbuilding and activity within that sector are an important pillar of the municipality,”
—Said Marcel Walravens

Photo by MICHAEL PRINCE/Forbes Collection

According to Forbes, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is worth more than $175 billion (£130 billion), making him the world’s third-richest person. Bezos owns the Washington Post newspaper and the space business Blue Origin, in addition to being a titan in the e-commerce market.

According to Forbes, in 1994, Jeff Bezos launched e-commerce giant Amazon from his Seattle garage. In July 2021, he stood down as CEO to become executive chairman. During the COVID19 pandemic, Amazon saw a 38 percent increase in sales to $386 billion in 2020, as many stayed at home and made online purchases; while senators and the general public have criticized Amazon for their handling of warehouse employees during the coronavirus pandemic.