QE2 Holdings announces the appointment of the Chinese shipyard Cosco to refit the QE2. At a press conference held today in Shanghai, China, the QE2's current owners, QE2 Holdings, officially announced that the China Ocean Shipping Company was the preferred bidder for the refit of the QE2.
Following announcements earlier in the year confirming plans to move the QE2 to Asia to serve as a luxury hotel, an inviation to tender was issued by QE2 Holdings for the refit, estimated to cost in the region of US$90 million.
The refit is reportedly going to take place at Cosco's yard in Zhoushan, in China's Zhejiang Province. QE2 Holdings is seeking to appoint an international design house to develop designs for the refitted QE2, with Cosco implementing the designs.
Speaking at the press conference the Chairman of QE2 Holdings stated that "No other ship can match the QE2's prestige, or her legacy...Therefore, our decision on a partner was critical... 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".
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