Jeff Bezos’ new $500 million, 417-foot superyacht – the second-largest in the world – may not hit the high seas after plans to DISMANTLE historic Netherlands bridge so that it can reach the ocean are halted due to public outrage
- Plans to dismantle a historic Netherlands bridge to make way for Jeff Bezos’ super yacht have been halted
- The $500 million, 417-foot ocean liner will be the largest sailing yacht in the world when it is completed this year
- In order for the yacht to reach the ocean, however, the historic Koningshavenbrug bridge in Rotterdam, will have to be dismantled
- Plans to dismantle the bridge have temporarily stopped after uproar from locals who called for rotten eggs to be thrown at the yacht
The nearly $500 million, 417ft yacht will be the biggest sailing yacht in the world when it is completed this year in the Netherlands
Plans to dismantle a historic Dutch bridge to allow Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’ new super yacht to pass from a shipyard to the ocean have been halted following public outcry from locals.
Oceanco, the company in Alblasserdam, Netherlands, building Bezos’ behemoth, said in a statement that it would temporarily stop the logistical plans to dismantle the iconic Koningshavenbrug bridge in Rotterdam, Netherlands – known as De Hef – to allow Bezos’ nearly $500 million vessel, Y721, to get out to sea, Trouw News said, according to NL Times.
Oceanco received reports of furious locals – resulting in the decision.
One of the builders on Bezos’ yacht shared that a fear of vandalism lingered as some residents were angry over the potentially dismantling the bridge that was built over the Nieuwe Maas river in 1927, and renovated in 2017.
De Hef was first built over the Nieuwe Maas river in 1927 and has been a massive feature throughout Rotterdam’s history
The Amazon CEO, 58, is pictured with his girlfriend of three-years, 52, Lauren Sanchez
Bezos’ superyacht was originally sought to be moved out to sea by dismantling the bridge, according to reports in February 2022.
News broke out in February about the potential plans for the bridge resulting in more than 3,900 people being ‘interested’ in a Facebook event calling for Rotterdam residents to throw rotten eggs at Bezos’ new yacht.
The event was organized by Pablo Strörmann and reads: ‘Take a box of (rotten) eggs with you and let’s throw them en masse at Jeff’s superyacht when it sails through De Hef in Rotterdam.
‘Rotterdam was built from the rubble by the people of Rotterdam, and we don’t just take that apart for the phallus symbol of a megalomaniac billionaire. Not without a fight!’
It’s unclear if the event followed through and how many people attended.
The vessel is being built at the Oceanco ship yard in Alblasserdam. It’s unclear how the 417ft yacht will reach the sea once it’s completed this year
The 417ft (127 metre) sailing yacht features three massive masts and three decks.
The ship currently being built at the Oceanco’s shipyard in Alblasserdam in the west of the Netherlands.
‘Oceanco yachts tell the distinctive stories of their owners, who come to us with visions that go beyond the yachts that already exist. Sometimes, even beyond our notions of what a superyacht can be,’ reads the company’s website.
Generally, new ships are able to pass through the iconic bridge with a clearance of 130 ft before their masts are assembled. However, Bezos’ yacht is higher than the bridge and builders advise it’s not wise to sail out when the vessel is partially built.
‘Our clients come to us because they don’t want yet another iteration from a blueprint, they want a yacht that is theirs and theirs alone,’ Oceanco boasts.
‘We embrace collaboration, partnership and openness while checking our ego at the door.’
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