QE2 at Dubai

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Hellenic Shipping News:

Dubai economy returns to growth path

quote:

Dubai's economy is shrugging off the impact of the global recession and is fast returning to the growth path, according to economists and bankers. "We expect growth to return to positive territory as early as this year, and to become increasingly robust in the medium-term.

More at http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=105283&Itemid=79

Comment: But is it coming on quickly enough to do any good?

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From Maritime Matters:

PS WAVERLEY Cruise To Celebrate QE2

quote:

Members of the “TheQE2Story”￾ discussion forum for the QE2 will come together on the 1947 Clyde-built Paddle Steamer WAVERLEY and also gather at the Clyde-based Titan Crane on June 27.

More at http://maritimematters.com/2010/06/ps-waverley-cruise-to-celebrate-qe2/

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From Kansas City.com:

Summary Box: Dubai World's ports arm posts profit

quote:


RESULTS: Global port operator DP World posted higher first-half profit as revived world trade pushed cargo volumes at ports it controls up 7 percent.

BOTTOM LINE:...

More at http://www.kansascity.com/2010/08/18/2158490/summary-box-dubai-worlds-ports.html

Comment: One would hope that this is a positive sign for the rest of this concern since the QE2's future may well depend on it.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Hellenic Shipping News:

S&P revises DP World outlook to stable on Dubai World restructuring, solid 2010 performance

quote:

Standard & Poor’s Rating Services said that it has revised its outlook on Dubai-based DP World Ltd. (DPW) to stable from negative. At the same time, “we affirmed our ‘BB/B’ long- and short-term corporate credit ratings on DPW”￾.

More at http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/new/2010/12/05/sp-revises-dp-world-outlook-to-stable-on-dubai-world-restructuring-solid-2010-performance/

Comment: Whether or not this will be good news for the QE2 is anybody's guess but solvancy of this enterprise is at least a sporting chance.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Hellenic Shipping News:

Enough cash to meet debt obligations: DP World

quote:

Global marine terminal operator DP World has enough cash to service its short-term debt obligations, and it is under no pressure to raise capital through debt market, a senior official of the firm has said.

More at http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/new/2010/12/23/enough-cash-to-meet-debt-obligations-dp-world/

Comment: Looking better. let's hope the trend keeps up.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Hellenic Shipping News:

Drydocks World secures $200m in loans for operations

quote:

Drydocks World, the ship repair business owned by Dubai World, has secured US$200 million (Dh734.5m) in loans to cover working capital over the next three months. The agreement, announced by WAM, the state news agency, has been signed with seven of Drydocks World's existing creditors and is on a secured basis.

More at http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4456:drydocks-world-secures-200m-in-loans-for-operations&catid=7:ship building-news&Itemid=71

Comment: This is only of tangential interest here but the QE2's fortunes and continued survival are tied to this outfit's parent company. If it fails, then it won't bode well for anything tied to it.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From CruiseIndustryNews:

Queen Elizabeth Meets QE2 in Dubai (photos)

Very brief story with two nice photos at http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/5342-queen-elizabeth-meets-qe2-in-dubai-photos.html

Comment: At least we know she's still there with enough machinary still working to exchange whistle salutes.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From Maritime Matters:

QE2 Meets TheQE2Story

quote:

Since the QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 arrived in Dubai at the end of November 2008, only her owners, her crew and contractors have been on board. No visitors have been admitted, and no photos have been released, reports Rob Lightbody of TheQE2Story.com.

Last month, Mr Lightbody was granted full access to the legendary ship, exploring and documenting her current condition.

More at http://maritimematters.com/2011/05/qe2-meets-theqe2story/

 

[Jerry Nuovo]

Here is s direct link to Rob Lightbody's videos of his recent visit to the QE2 www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,3166.0.html Regards,Jerry

 

[Michael H. Standart]

It linked to the forum index when I tried it, Jerry. I suspect one would have to do some hunting around to find it.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The BBC:

QE2 anchor set as landmark in home port of Southampton

quote:

A 13 tonne anchor from the QE2 has been set as a landmark in Southampton.

The 4.3m (14ft) by 2.7m (9ft) steel anchor has been gifted to the city by the Dubai royal family and Cunard.

More at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-14744315

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Mirror:

Peep inside the deserted QE2 ... and fear for the future of this classic liner

quote:

In a city of amazing modern architecture, where hotel standards are measured in more stars than you can count on the fingers of one hand, the latest development is newsworthy partly because of its design, and partly because it does not live up to expectations of quality.

More at http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/captain-greybeard/2011/09/peep-inside-the-deserted-qe2-a.html

 

[Michael H. Standart]

Today's Feature Story from AJC.com:

Dubai to open famed liner QE2 for New Year's bash

quote:

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – More than three years since it arrived in its final port of Dubai, the storied cruise liner Queen Elizabeth 2 will soon be welcoming well-heeled guests once again – at least for a night.

More at http://www.ajc.com/travel/dubai-to-open-famed-1260113.html

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The World Maritime News:
Port Rashid — New Permanent Home of QE2 (UAE)
Click on: World Maritime News - Port Rashid – New Permanent Home of QE2 (UAE)

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From MSNBC:
Venerable Ocean Liner to Become Dubai Hotel
Click on: Venerable Ocean Liner to Become Dubai Hotel - US Business News - CNBC

 

[Jerry Nuovo]

Will the QE2 end up being scrapped?

Here is the link to today's Southampton's Daily Echo of October 17,2012 about the QE2 possibly being sold for scrap QE2 to be scrapped? (From Daily Echo) It would be sad if this does happen but sadly maybe there is not much of a market for retired ships to be used as a floating hotel/museum/conference center?

 

[Michael H. Standart]

CruiseIndustryNews has it too.
See Overheard: QE2 To Be Scrapped? - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News

Hope it doesn't work out this way.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

More speculation from Maritime Matters:
QE2 For A Hotel Or The Beach?
See QE2 For A Hotel Or The Beach? | MaritimeMatters