It looks like Jeff Bezos, the second richest man in the world, won’t be taking delivery of his $500 million 417 foot superyacht anytime soon. The yacht was built by Oceanco, and is the biggest boat they’ve ever built. It’s so big that it can’t pass under a lift bridge in Rotterdam.
Bezos and Oceanco wanted to temporarily dismantle the bridge so the billionaire’s yacht can reach the ocean. However, according to Dutch news outlet Trouw, Oceanco has informed the municipality that it is canceling its current logistical plans. The decision was a direct result of a public outcry that blew up when the plans were first proposed. Shipyard employees feel threatened and the company fears it will be vandalized.
Bezos’ boat is a sailing yacht, with three large sailing masts. The masts are too tall to pass underneath the De Hef bridge despite its over 131 feet clearance. Oceanco’s solution was to remove the center portion of the bridge, then replace it once the vessel passed through.
Bezos dismantling of the bridge, known locally as Def Hef, included an offer to fully renovate it to new condition after his big boat passes through. You would think the city and citizens would like that. However, De Hef was renovated back in 2017, so it’s not like it needed another renovation.
Objections to the plan were swift. Local groups voiced their opposition to the move, and thousands of people signed an online petition demanding the bridge be left alone. The petition organizer felt the plan sent a message that “as long as you are rich enough, there are no restrictions whatsoever.” They also contrast “the eagerness with which Bezos’ request is being indulged” to his “rigidness and refusal in providing basic human rights to his warehouse workers.”
There was even a Facebook group calling all Rotterdammers to “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.” Faced with the level of backlash, Ocean decided to back down.
It is not yet clear how Bezos or Oceanco intend to proceed with the delivery of the superyacht. I guess Jeff will have to rough it out in the 246 foot support yacht for now.