Palmer plots Titanic order

A replica of the Titanic could be sailing the Atlantic by 2016 if a plan by an Australian billionaire comes to fruition.

 

Clive Palmer has signed an initial agreement with China’s CSC Jinling shipyard to build a modern version of the liner that sank off Newfoundland 100 years ago this month.

 

 

He wants to sail Titanic II from England to New York accompanied by the Chinese navy as its maiden voyage.

 

The vessel will be part of a planned fleet of luxury cruiseships built in Nanjing, he said. He has not revealed a cost.

 

The 58-year-old mining, property and football tycoon added: “It will be every bit as luxurious as the original Titanic, but of course it will have state-of-the-art twenty-first century technology and the latest navigation and safety systems.”

 

White Star Line’s original ship was just under 270 metres long.

 

Palmer’s version will have the same dimensions, with 840 rooms on nine decks as well as gymnasiums, swimming pools, libraries and restaurants, he said.

 

He has brought in a historical research team to start design work. An exhibition room showcasing Queensland will replace the original’s coal boilers.

 

For the venture, Palmer has set up Blue Star Line as a wholly-owned subsidiary of his Mineralogy company.

 

The magnate has a fortune of AUD 5.05bn ($5.3bn) and is Australia’s fifth-richest person.

 

He said the plans would help China become a major player in the cruiseship market.