Australian billionaire Clive Palmer has announced his is resurrecting plans to build Titanic II – a replica of the luxury cruise liner that famously sank in 1912.
This is the third time Palmer has attempted to get the project off the ground, having made similar announcements in 2012 and 2018.
Palmer launched his plan at a press event at Sydney Opera House. When asked why he wanted to do this, he reportedly told the amassed local press that “it’s a lot more fun to do the Titanic than it is to sit at home and count my money”.
The last time Palmer tried to get the Titanic project off the ground, it foundered as the COVID pandemic hit the world, and the pleasure cruise industry stopped for quite some time. He has also fought several high-profile legal battles against state and federal governments in recent years.
Plans for Titanic II this time are similar to the previous effort and Palmer’s company, Blue Star Line, is now seeking tenders to build the ship, with building slated to begin in the first three months of next year.
The ship will be a replica of the ill-fated original, with a capacity for 2,345 passengers over nine decks. It will also follow the original journey of the Titanic from Southampton in England to New York.
In a press release, Palmer also added that Titanic II could be a “ship of peace between all countries of the world,” and that the ship can make the dreams of millions who have wanted to sail on the iconic ship come true.
Palmer made his fortune in mining – mostly iron ore, coal and nickel – and is estimated to have a net worth of $4.2 billion. He also owns a string of golf courses in Australia. From 2013 to May 2017 he was also an MP in the Australian Parliament, having set up his own party, the Palmer United Party and later the United Australia Party – before deregistering it 2022.
