An Australian billionaire has revived plans to create ‘Titanic II’ – and hopes the new version of the doomed liner will sail as early as 2027.
Clive Palmer, 69, unveiled his latest plans for the Sydney Opera House on Wednesday, claiming his building would be ‘far superior to the original’.
The mining tycoon 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 does not have a shipyard secured to complete construction.
Palmer assured his audience that he was confident he would be able to find one and begin construction in 2025, with the ship’s maiden voyage from Southampton to New York – a repeat of the original’s ill-fated 1912 voyage.
The construction of the mega 56,000 tonne replica is estimated to set Palmer back £1billion, 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 a decade of promising to construct a replica of the original
The Australian billionaire first revealed plans in 2012 at a press conference held at London’s Ritz Hotel
Animated 3D renderings of the interior show a striking resemblance to the original RMS Titanic, which sank on her maiden voyage in 1912
While retaining the style of the original Titanic, Blue Star Line assured: ‘Titanic II will have all modern conveniences along with 21st century technology and the latest navigation and safety systems’
3D renderings of his plans reveal that the vessel will feature a grand wooden staircase similar to the one seen on the iconic set of the blockbuster Titanic.
“Included in the design is a first-class grand staircase that descends through most of the boat’s decks all the way down to deck F,” said a statement at Palmer’s Blue Star Line.
‘The staircase starts from the boat deck under a large wrought iron and glass dome, at the center of which is a sparkling 50-light crystal chandelier’.
Pictures of cabins with wooden commodes and tall arched doorways have also been featured on Blue Star Line’s website and bear a striking resemblance to the interior of the original ship.
“Although she is as luxurious as her namesake, Titanic II will have all modern conveniences 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 on first class, 201 on second and 251 on third) and an exact replica of the original vessel’s bridge.
‘Other facilities will include a traditional dining room and first class dining room, luxury cabins 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 an interest in traveling on board the 2,500-person ship.
The latest revelation 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 £1 billion to build
The cabins have bunk beds and wooden chests of drawers – similar to those seen in old photos of the original
Only about 700 out of 2,200 passengers survived RMS Titanic’s doomed maiden voyage
Palmer originally planned to build the replica in a Chinese shipyard before embarking on the ship’s maiden voyage from England to New York in 2016.
But the plans were delayed and reports as of 2015 indicated that no construction had begun.
It was later reported that Titanic II would set sail in 2022 – but these plans would never come to fruition.
He blamed the construction delays on the Covid19 pandemic and told his skeptical audience to believe him this time because: ‘I have more money now’.
Still, Palmer was still asked if the project was just a hoax or a publicity stunt, but he quickly hit back, saying he has ‘enough money to rebuild the Titanic 10 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.