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If at first you don’t succeed, try again. Australian billionaire Clive Palmer confirmed his commitment to building an identical replica of the Titanic, with the aim of setting sail by 2027.

Palmer first launched plans for Titanic II in 2012, and again in 2018. Six years later, he relaunched the project during a press briefing at Sydney Opera House against the backdrop of the city’s famed harbour.

Palmer reportedly told local media “It’s a lot more fun to do the Titanic than it is to sit at home and count my money.” You can’t find fault with that.

The multimillion-dollar project was put on hold during the pandemic as ports closed and passengers reassessed their appetite for being quarantined at sea. And then the ocean swallowed the billionaires in the Titan submersible as well.

Palmer, chairman of the Blue Star Line company behind the Titanic project, also had other issues on his agenda. In recent years he’s launched multiple court cases against state and federal governments.

He took on the Western Australian state government over its decision to shut its borders during the pandemic. Another High Court loss came when he sought billions of dollars in damages from the same government over its decision to block his access to compensation over an iron ore project.

He’s now taking that to an international tribunal, seeking almost $200 billion (R3.8 trillion) in damages from the federal government.

Then there’s his bids for political office, as the founder of the United Australia Party, registered in 2018, whose policies included an Australian Bill of Rights and bans on Covid lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He famously spent millions of dollars on advertising for very little electoral return, and the party was deregistered in 2022.

Now that politics have shunned the billionaire, Palmer is heading back to the ocean by building Titanic Two. F*** it, if you have the cash, why not?

“We are very pleased to announce that after unforeseen global delays, we have reengaged with partners to bring the dream of Titanic ll to life. Let the journey begin.’’

 

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The current plans for the ship are similar to prior iterations, and they have been vetted to guarantee compliance with current requirements. Tenders are already being sought and Palmer hopes to confirm a shipbuilder by the end of the year, with building set to start in the first quarter of 2025.

Palmer told reporters that he is looking for winning bidders in Europe as he doesn’t feel Chinese standards are ‘adequate’. An eight-minute promo film, that has been around for several years, depicts the ship’s layout and how each chamber would look, replete with actors dressed in period costumes – Titanic II passengers will be encouraged to dress for the 1900s, but it’s not mandatory.

The ship itself will be 269 meters (833 feet) long and 32.2 meters (105 feet) wide  – slightly wider than the original. Capacity will be 2,345 passengers spread across nine decks with 835 cabins. Almost half of those will be reserved for first-class passengers.

Third-class passengers will be treated to stew and mash at long tables in a communal dining room – as they were on the original boat – though a spokesperson said other meals will also be available for those who want a less authentic experience.

Palmer is not short on ambition, and besides rebuilding Rose’s boat, he also wants to create world peace.

“We all know how to make war. We get armies and we fund wars. People know about that. 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 ll is something that can provide peace. It can be a ship of peace between all countries of the world.

“Millions have dreamt of sailing on her, seeing her in port and experiencing her unique majesty. Titanic ll will be the ship where those dreams come true.”

Inch by inch and fathom by fathom. Ignoring superstition about recreating the most famous death ship ever, it would be magnificent to see the Titanic II sail into Cape Town harbour.

[source:cnn&pubity]