Australian billionaire Clive Palmer to build Titanic II

[CroNich]

Clive Palmer, one of Australia's richest men, has commissioned a Chinese state-owned company to build a 21st Century version of the Titanic.

The mining billionaire told Australian media that construction would start at the end of next year.

It would be ready to set sail in 2016.

The plan, he added, was for the vessel to be as similar as possible to the original Titanic in design and specifications, but with modern technology.

Mr Palmer told Australian media that he had signed a memorandum of understanding with CSC Jinling Shipyard to construct the ship.

"It will be every bit as luxurious as the original Titanic but of course it will have state-of-the-art 21st Century technology and the latest navigation and safety systems," he said in a statement.

The announcement comes just weeks after the centenary of the sinking of the ill-fated Titanic.

The vessel, the largest luxury ship in its time, struck an iceberg on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York. It went down on 15 April 1912, leaving more than 1,500 people dead.

"Of course it will sink if you put a hole in it,'' Mr Palmer said in response to questions from reporters on whether the Titanic replica would sink.


A number of events were held to mark the 100th anniversary of the Titanic's sinking
The new vessel is scheduled to sail from London to New York in late 2016, if all goes as planned.

"It is going to be designed so it won't sink,'' he added. ''But, of course, if you are superstitious like you are, you never know what could happen.''

The cost of the construction is not known, a spokesman for Mr Palmer told Australian media.

The mining magnate from Queensland, who has strong business relations with China, has expanded into tourism. He owns a luxury resort on the Sunshine Coast and has plans to build a fleet of luxury liners.

His plan to build the Titanic replica was announced on the same day that he revealed plans, in a separate news conference, to contest the next federal election in Queensland.

He told reporters that he has expressed interest in standing for Queensland's Liberal National Party (LNP), part of the conservative opposition at federal level, in the Brisbane seat of Lilley - currently held by Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Wayne Swan.

Cool idea and all, but this guy seems like a Loon (I'm young so don't know much about politics)
But why not just build, Large, Modern day cruise ships that will appeal to everyone

[panabiker]

I doubt we will ever see the ship. Others have made similar proposals and never carried through. Just a few years ago, Nic Wilson and Bruce Moffat, also Australians, have made the same plan but then quietly disappeared from the scene.

It could be a interesting ship of similar stature as the QE2 or QM2. Of course, it would be modern and it won't have the steerage cabins for poor immigrants, nor the coal burning furnace for steam engines.

[jcruizer]

I just heard this news on tv this morning. He does have the money so we will see. Interesting though....

[The_Big_M]

Gotta wonder how he became a billionaire with wacky ideas like that! Making such grand announcements when he hasn't even done the research "The cost of the construction is not known, a spokesman for Mr Palmer told Australian media." gives it the same credibility as some unknown making claims with nothing to back them up.

I thought this was some late April Fools Day joke when I first read it.

[cjm66]

Originally Posted by panabiker

.

It could be a interesting ship of similar stature as the QE2 or QM2. Of course, it would be modern and it won't have the steerage cabins for poor immigrants, nor the coal burning furnace for steam engines.

Or he could turn the old steerage area into Quad or even Octo share cabins. I wonder if he will install a virtual ghost or two? If he challenges Swan and loses can't you just see the sub editors headlines. Palmers Hopes sunk with the Titanic. Some newstories are already making the link.

Colleen

[diy dave]

Book me in Danno, I,m up for it.

[happyaussies]

Haven't you ever heard of the eccentric billionaire?

Mind you it would be a beautiful ship and one that people would pay good $$$$'s to cruise. Look at the fantastic "Queens"

He told reporters that he has expressed interest in standing for Queensland's Liberal National Party (LNP), part of the conservative opposition at federal level, in the Brisbane seat of Lilley - currently held by Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Wayne Swan.

AND why would anyone vote for him, when he is going to China to build this ship...
Sure OUR people need this work/employment and the revenue it will bring to Australia. .
A complete nutter, I recon he'll fit right into politics....lol!

[silverwillow]

I'm not superstitious but I would not name a ship Titanic II it just doesn't seem right.

[Cpt Des]

Originally Posted by diy dave

Book me in Danno, I,m up for it.

Well Dave, that's 2 of us booked in

As for the rest of you all I can say is " Oh ye of little faith"
This will happen, you can laugh now...but wait a while.

I have a friend who also had a dream and everyone said he could not do it, and over the last 3 years I have seen him bring that dream alive

Here is the result



More pics and info if you want them

[The_Big_M]

Cruise Weekly flubbed it up yet again (I think it's trying to challenge News Limited for accuracy...). They had a small article claiming that he's already signed a contract to build it!

After he ran that campaign to be a National Treasure, I can only think he has a massive ego, or it just keen for any publicity - obviously coming up with this around the anniversary of the Titanic sinking is going to draw some press.