Dubai begins preparatory work before the redevelopment of the QE2 as a tourist attraction. According to reports published by Emirates-based publication The National, planning work for the redevelopment of the QE2 has been re-started as Dubai looks to finally begin work on the liner, which they purchased from Cunard in 2007 for US$100 million. The QE2 has been berthed at Port Rashid since her arrival in November 2008.
Although physical work has not commenced on-board ship some small-scale asbestos removal work has been undertaken by Emirates-based Chalmers Engineering on behalf of Nakheel. Asbestos-based material was used during construction of the QE2, including some 2,000,000 square feet of Marinite asbestos-based fire-resistant sheeting.
An official for Nakheel, speaking confidentially state that the company is in the "planning stages and trying to identify the work that needs doing...we are studying the lines of the ship now so we know better how much time it will take for us to finish the project. It seems like a fairly big job.".
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