Australian politician and mining magnate Clive Palmer is reviving his bid to build a replica Titanic a decade after his previous plans fizzled out.
The tycoon, who sold his bulker business in 2016, turned up at the Sydney Opera House on Wednesday to relaunch the Titanic II scheme.
The Blue Star Line chairman said new plans were now being finalised.
“We are very pleased to announce that after unforeseen global delays, we have re-engaged with partners to bring the dream of Titanic II to life. Let the journey begin,” he told reporters.
Palmer blamed Covid lockdowns and cruise industry shutdowns for the delay.
The businessman said he had “enough money to build the Titanic 10 times over”.
Palmer added he did not want to die having done nothing.
“It’s a lot more fun to do the Titanic than it is to sit at home and count my money,” he told reporters.
“All you need to be happy, I’ve found in my life, is to have someone that loves you, somewhere to sleep at night and enough for a good meal,” he continued.
“Beyond that, the rest is an illusion — it’s like playing golf,” Palmer said.
The tycoon pledged that the best shipbuilders, designers and engineers will be “back on deck.”
Big names on board
The project has enlisted Finnish designer Deltamarin to recreate the ship, while manager V.Ships Leisure will supervise the construction.
The idea is to mirror the interiors and cabin layout of the original legendary liner that sank in 1912.
The vessel will initially follow the original route, carrying passengers from Southampton to New York.
But the Titanic II will also circumnavigate the globe.
The newbuilding will be 56,000 gt, with room for 2,435 passengers. A diesel engine will be used.
“Titanic II is something that needed to be built. We all know how to make war. We get armies and we fund wars. People know about that,” Palmer told the press conference.
“But it is a lot harder to make peace. To make peace you have got to stick with it every day. You progress inch by inch.
“Titanic II is something that can provide peace. It can be a ship of peace between all countries of the world,” he concluded.
No shipyard has yet been secured, but Palmer is confident building can start in 2025, with the first voyage in 2027.
The CSC Jinling yard in China had originally been lined up to build the Titanic II.
Work on the project was suspended in 2015. Back then the cost was put at $500m.
