Historic Dutch Bridge To Be Dismantled To Allow Bezos’ Superyacht To Fit Through

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Jeff Bezos Dutch bridge

It has been confirmed that Rotterdam will dismantle a historic bridge to allow a superyacht built for Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to sail through.

The iconic Koningshaven Bridge, commonly known as De Hef, will be partially dismantled, with its middle section temporarily removed according to Dutch media reports. 

A spokesman for the mayor confirmed the plan to reporters, with Bezos set to foot the bill through Oceanco, the Dutch firm who is building the £400 million luxury yacht for him.

RT reports: The construction of the giant, three-masted leisure vessel, reportedly worth €430 million ($485 million), was commissioned to shipbuilder Oceanco in Alblasserdam, a town in the country’s South Holland province. However, the ship needs to pass through Rotterdam to enter the high seas, and is too large for the 40-meter (131ft) clearance of the bridge.

De Hef dates back to 1878. Its modern version was unveiled in 1927. Heavily damaged by bombs during World War II, the bridge was one of the first structures in the city to be restored. It ceased to function as a railway bridge in 1993 and has remained a national monument.

Oceanco and Bezos were said to have agreed to cover the costs of the work on the bridge. Some locals are, nevertheless, angry that the much-loved bridge will be tampered with, particularly because officials promised that the landmark would never be taken apart after its large-scale, three-year renovation was completed in 2017.

Employment is important, but there are limits to what you can and may do to our heritage,” Ton Wesselink from the Rotterdam Historical Society said, as cited by broadcaster Rijnmond.  

Others targeted Bezos himself. “This man has made his money by cutting staff, evading taxes, avoiding regulations, and now we have to demolish our beautiful national monument? That’s really a bridge too far,” Stephan Leewis, a local politician from the GroenLinks (GreenLeft) party said, adding that he wants to see the documents showing that Bezos agreed to reimburse the costs. 

Bezos and Amazon have been accused by the media and activists of using legal loopholes to pay lower taxes and of unethical labor practices, especially during the Covid pandemic. The company has denied these allegations.

Marcel Walravens, an official in charge of the works on De Hef, explained that the bridge will be completely restored after the yacht sails through, and no other changes will be made. He said there was no other option to move the yacht.

“From an economic perspective and maintaining employment, the municipality considers this a very important project,” Walravens said. “In addition, Rotterdam has also been declared the maritime capital of Europe. Shipbuilding and activity within that sector are therefore an important pillar of the municipality.”

As for the past promise not to tamper with the bridge again, Walravens said: “Never say never. I see it as using the resources you have as efficiently as possible.” He added that the work will begin sometime in the summer.

“In all honesty, I understand the fuss, but if risks lie entirely on Bezos or Oceanco, that’s the end of the matter as far as I’m concerned,” Labor Party (PvdA) politician Dennis Tak said. “It’s, obviously, a strong example of Dutch pride that these yachts are built here. Hardly any ships are built in the Netherlands anymore. All container ships come from Asia these days.”

“I think it’s good that we can still get some money out of Bezos and put it in the region,” Tak said.

7 Comments

  1. Grotesque obscene inequality is an insult to every soldier and their family who ever fought for freedom and equality. Its an abomination to democracy and its fundamental principles and its an sign that the people will be crushed like ants and enslaved by evil greed.

  2. You think he got that rich by caring about stuff like this or about what anyone thinks of him. He got this rich by dumping on the little people. This is just more smoke and mirrors.

  3. So is he generously going to foot the bill from his petty cash box? Or are the government going to let the little people pay the bill for him in gratitude for advertising the ship building business, run by a few millionaires?

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