An Australian billionaire has revived plans to create ‘Titanic II’ – and hopes the new version of the doomed liner will set sail as early as 2027.
Clive Palmer, 69, unveiled his latest plans at Sydney Opera House on Wednesday, claiming his build would be ‘far superior than the original’.
The mining tycoon told his audience that his company, Blue Star Line, would construct ‘the ship of love and the ultimate in style and luxury’ but admitted he does not currently have a shipyard secured to complete the construction.
Palmer reassured his audience that he was confident he’d be able to find one and start construction by 2025, with the ship’s maiden voyage from Southampton to New York – replicating the ill-fated 1912 voyage of the original.
The construction of the mega 56,000-tonne replica is estimated to set Palmer back by £1billion but the businessman is set on bringing the RMS Titanic back to life.
Clive Palmer revealed his Titanic II plans at a press conference at Sydney Opera House on Wenesday, after a decade of vowing to construct a replica of the original
The Australian billionaire first unveiled plans in 2012 at a press conference held in London’s Ritz Hotel
Animated 3D renderings of the interior show a striking resemblance to the original RMS Titanic that sunk on her maiden voyage in 1912
While keeping to the style of the original Titanic, Blue Star Line reassured: ‘Titanic II will have every modern amenity along with 21st century technology and the latest navigation and safety systems’
3D renderings of his plans reveal the vessel will have a grand wooden staircase, similar to the one seen on the iconic set of blockbuster Titanic.
‘Included in the design is a first-class grand staircase descending through most of the boat’s decks all the way down to Deck F,’ a statement on Palmer’s Blue Star Line said.
‘The staircase will start from the boat deck under a large wrought iron and glass dome, at the centre of which is a glittering 50-light crystal chandelier’.
Images of cabins featuring wooden dressers and high arched doorways have also been displayed on the Blue Star Line website and bear a striking resemblance to the interior of the original ship.
‘While every bit as luxurious as her namesake, Titanic II will have every modern amenity along with 21st century technology and the latest navigation and safety systems,’ the company said.
The new ship’s design will include nine decks, 835 cabins (383 in first class, 201 in second and 251 in third), and an exact replica of the original vessel’s bridge.
‘Other amenities will include a traditional dining room and first-class dining saloon, luxurious staterooms and suites, grand ballroom, gymnasium, squash court, swimming pool, baths, theatre and casino,’ Blue Star Line added.
According to Palmer, a ‘couple of million people’ have already registered interest in travelling on board the 2500-person ship.
The latest unveiling comes over a decade after he first announced plans to build a replica of the Titanic at a press conference at London’s Ritz Hotel.
He first launched plans for Titanic II in 2012, and again in 2018.
The replica is expected to weigh around 56,000 tonnes, and cost Palmer £1billon to construct
The cabins feature bunk beds and wooden dressers – similar to the ones seen in old images of the original
Only around 700 out of 2,200 passengers survived RMS Titanic’s doomed maiden voyage
Palmer originally planned to construct the replica at a Chinese shipyard before embarking on the ship’s maiden voyage from England to New York in 2016.
But the plans were delayed, with reports from 2015 suggesting no construction had begun.
It was later reported that the Titanic II would set sail in 2022 – but these plans would never come to fruition.
He blamed the Covid19 pandemic for the construction delays, and told his skeptical audience that they should believe him this time because: ‘I’ve got more money now’.
Yet, Palmer was still asked if the project was just a hoax or publicity stunt but he quickly hit back, saying he has ‘enough money to build the Titanic 10 times over’.
The RMS Titanic sank in 1912 with more than 2,200 people on board.
Only around 700 passengers survived the ocean liner’s doomed maiden voyage.
