The Scottish Government has recognised that QE2 is an important part of Scottish and Greenock’s maritime history and is recommending that a new working group be established to examine if the world famous cruise ship could be brought back to the Clyde and Greenock.
Recognising that the former Cunard passenger liner QE2 was languishing in a dock in Dubai after plans to convert her into a luxury hotel fell apart, Inverclyde Council Leader, Councillor Stephen McCabe wrote to the Government, and national representatives calling for national support to bring her home.
Scottish Government Minister, Fergus Ewing, MSP, has responded encouraging national agencies to join an Inverclyde working group.
While her future is uncertain and we still have no clear indication from Dubai about their plans, this support is a chance for all of the various Government agencies to work together to find out if there is a strong business case to bringing QE2 to Greenock and the Clyde.
Stephen McCabe said in earlier statements that bringing QE2 home to The Clyde and Greenock is a Herculean task. He said, “The more you look at it, the larger that job becomes. That’s why it is hugely significant to have the backing of the Scottish Government and national agencies such as Scottish Enterprise around the table supporting our ambitious proposal.”
Scottish Government Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing said: “We have outlined potential support that the Scottish Government and its agencies could provide, which is dependent on the Council being able to secure the QE2. There is great potential but we need to see whether a practical, affordable plan can be devised and wish to discuss the idea further to map out what that would entail.”