By
Rebecca Gibson |
China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO) Shipyard is to carry out an extensive renovation project onboard Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2), which is owned by Dubai government entity QE2 Shipping.
The 293-metre vessel is scheduled to depart Dubai’s Port of Rashid – where she has resided since retiring from the Cunard fleet in 2008 – in October and arrive at COSCO Shipyard’s Zhoushan facility in China’s Zhejiang Province to be transformed into an all-suite floating hotel.
Scheduled for completion in 2015, the project will involve a number of technical repairs and interior renovations to the accommodation and ballroom areas, as well as seven restaurants, ten lounges, a cinema, a maritime museum displaying QE2 memorabilia and a shopping mall.
“No other ship can match the QE2’s prestige, or her legacy – she is an absolute icon of maritime history, one of the best and most powerful ships in the world,” said Khamis Juma Buamim, chairman of QE2 Holdings and Dubai’s Drydocks World. “We are pleased to be working closely with COSCO Shipyard for the technical repair and refurbishment process, which will be carried out with the utmost respect to the QE2’s heritage and splendour. China COSCO’s expertise in cruise ship conversion will complement our extensive experience in comprehensive ship repair work and upgrades.”
Seven international firms have also been invited to submit design proposals for the vessel’s interior refurbishment. Proposals from US companies BG Studio, Jerde Partnership and Wilson Associates, UK company Benoy, Finnish firm Dsign Vertti Kivi, Italy’s Santarossa and Singapore’s Ong & Ong will be showcased on the official QE2 website for public review between 15 October and 15 November 2013. The winning proposal will be announced on 30 November 2013.
“The ship’s redevelopment is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for any interior design professional to create what will become one of Asia’s major waterfront tourist attractions,” Daniel Chui, president and chief executive of QE2 Holdings and managing director of Oceanic Group said. “The goal for the final design is to preserve the soul of the QE2 – many of the original furnishings and much of the decor will be incorporated – while creating a modern luxury hotel.”