After South African tourism officials indicated that owner Nakheel had applied to the National Ports Authority for berthing rights in Cape Town for the QE2, the Dubai-based company has admitted that the iconic ocean liner may leave its new homeport for another resting place.
A spokesperson from Nakheel said that, in addition to alternative locations within the emirate of Dubai, other ports in the Middle East and Africa had also expressed an interest in hosting the QE2.
‘We are currently evaluating these alternatives in order to ensure opportunities to experience the QE2 in her current condition are maximised while ensuring her important heritage is at all times protected,’ the company said in a statement.
The new statement follows months of speculation since the ship arrived in Dubai in November that the new owners would sell, extend or mothball the QE2, given the effect of the global financial downturn on the developer’s finances.
The ship has remained berthed in Port Rashid for the past eight months, and Nakheel most recently said it was looking at the possibility of allowing the public on board. ‘We have been investigating opening QE2 to visitors as a stationary hotel before work on her refurbishment begins,’ a spokesperson confirmed.
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After South African tourism officials indicated that owner Nakheel had applied to the National Ports Authority for berthing rights in Cape Town for the QE2, the Dubai-based company has admitted that the iconic ocean liner may leave its new homeport for another resting place.
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