An Australian billionaire has revived plans to create ‘Titanic II’ – and hopes the new version of the doomed ship will set sail as early as 2027.
Clive Palmer, 69, unveiled his latest plans at the Sydney Opera House on Wednesday, claiming his build would be ‘much better than the original’.
The mining magnate told his audience that his company, Blue Star Line, would build “the ship of love and the ultimate in style and luxury,” but admitted he currently has no shipyard that can complete the construction.
Palmer assured his audience that he was confident he could find one and start construction in 2025, with the ship’s maiden voyage from Southampton to New York – a repeat of the ship’s ill-fated 1912 voyage original.
Building the 56,000 tonne mega-replica is estimated to cost Palmer £1 billion, but the businessman is determined to bring the RMS Titanic back to life.
Clive Palmer unveiled his Titanic II plans at a press conference at the Sydney Opera House on Wednesday, after vowing for a decade to build a replica of the original
The Australian billionaire first revealed his plans in 2012 during a press conference at London’s Ritz Hotel
Animated 3D renderings of the interior bear a striking resemblance to the original RMS Titanic which was sunk on her maiden voyage in 1912
While retaining the style of the original Titanic, Blue Star Line reassured: ‘Titanic II will have all modern amenities, along with 21st century technology and the latest navigation and safety systems’
3D renderings of his plans show that the ship will have a grand wooden staircase, similar to those on the iconic set of the blockbuster Titanic.
“The design incorporates a first-class grand staircase that descends through most of the boat’s decks to Deck F,” said a statement from Palmer’s Blue Star Line.
‘The stairs start from the ship’s deck under a large wrought iron and glass dome, with a beautiful crystal chandelier in the center with 50 lights.’
Images of cabins with wooden sideboards and tall arched doorways are also shown 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 feature all modern amenities, along with 21st century technology and the latest navigation and safety systems,” the company said.
The new ship design includes nine decks, 835 cabins (383 in first class, 201 in second and 251 in third class) and an exact replica of the original ship’s bridge.
“Other amenities include a traditional dining room and a premier dining room, luxury staterooms and suites, grand ballroom, gymnasium, squash court, swimming pool, baths, theater and casino,” Blue Star Line added.
According to Palmer, “a few million people” have already expressed interest in traveling aboard the 2,500-person ship.
The latest revelation comes more than a decade after he first announced plans to build a replica of the Titanic during 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 £1 billion to build
The cabins feature bunk beds and wooden cabinets, similar to those in old images of the original
Only about 700 of the 2,200 passengers survived the doomed maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic
Palmer originally planned to build the replica at a Chinese shipyard before embarking on the ship’s maiden voyage from England to New York in 2016.
But plans were delayed as reports from 2015 indicated construction had not yet started.
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 construction delays and told his skeptical audience to believe him this time because: ‘I have more money now’.
Still, Palmer was asked if the project was just a hoax or a publicity stunt, but he quickly hit back, saying he has “enough money to build the Titanic ten times over.”
The RMS Titanic sank in 1912 with more than 2,200 people on board.
Only about 700 passengers survived the ocean liner’s doomed maiden voyage.