The SS Rotterdam was once the pride of the transatlantic Holland America Line but has now become the subject of enormous controversy, thanks to the involvement of a housing corporation in its renovation.

The Woonbron housing group – which provides homes for some 50,000 households – has big ambitions. At least that would seem to be the case from its involvement with the SS Rotterdam, which was to be turned into a glittering conference centre and hotel.
Quite what this has to do with its core business of providing affordable housing and keeping it in good repair is hard to guess. But then, the budget to bring the liner back up to scratch was just €6m – not much considering the glory it would bring.
Alas for Woonbron, the budget has now soared to an incredible €200m and questions are being asked in parliament. More than that, Woonbron has had to borrow money to carry out its normal duties, has been put under official government supervision and has been told to sell 80% of the ship by the end of the year.
It would be interesting to know if Woonbron is one of the housing corporations paying its directors more than the government-agreed norm of €176,000. They are obviously doing such a great job that whatever they earn, they deserve every penny.