The nearly 145-year-old bridge will be partially dismantled as Jeff Bezos plans to pay for Rotterdam to his $485 million super yacht after finishing construction on the vessel.
Reports revealed that the builders of Bezos’ vessel asked the local council to remove the bridge’s central section so the yacht can pass.
According to them, the construction of the former Amazon CEO’s yacht called Y721 is nearly completed but its vessel is too big to sail out with the bridge as it is.
“It’s the only route to the sea,” a spokesman for the mayor of Rotterdam. The spokesman also claimed that Bezos is planning to pay for the operation.
Bezos’ super yacht is the largest boat built in Oceanco and one of the largest ever built, and requires at least 130-foot clearance to pass through.
Moreover, known for its history, The Koningshaven Bridge built in 1878 was rebuilt after the Nazis bombed it in 1940 during World War II.
However, some shipbuilders dismissed the suggestion and claimed that it’s impractical to sail a partially-finished vessel down the river.
“If you carry out a big job somewhere, you want all your tools in that place. Otherwise you have to go back and forth constantly. Rotterdam has also been declared the maritime capital of Europe. Shipbuilding and activity within that sector are therefore an important pillar for the municipality.” Walravens explained.
