Exactly 110 years after the Titanic hit an iceberg and sank, an Australian billionaire has recommitted himself to building a replica of the boat, complete with the same interiors and cabin layout as the original vessel.
Mining magnate Clive Palmer has been working on the project billed as Titanic 2 since 2012, and only recently resumed construction on the project after work had to be suspended due to financial difficulties.
The boat is expected to be complete with a ballroom and Turkish baths, with reports also suggesting that passengers will be given period costumes to wear.
Titanic 2 will follow the same journey as its namesake had planned, carrying passengers from Southampton to New York.
But Mr Palmer said the ship will also sail the world ‘inspiring and enchanting people while attracting unrivaled attention, intrigue and mystery in every port she visits’ he told MSN.
The project has faced years of delays over payment disputes and lack of funding until a court ruling enabled Mr Palmer to re-start building.
Work had to be suspended in 2015 following a payment dispute between one of the businessman’s companies and Chinese company Citic, which starved the project of funds.
But the West Australian supreme court ruled in 2017 that Citic had to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in back royalty payments to Mr Palmer’s company.
The ruling enabled him to continue with his passion project.
Although there have been reports that the boat will launch its maiden voyage in 2022, a spokesperson for Blue Star Line, the company behind the Titanic II project, told the Guardian that no dates had been announced yet.
According to Blue Star Line, Titanic II will have the same class categories as the original ship — first, second and third class.
It will also be the same length, and will have replicated dining rooms and restaurants.
There is no word yet on how much a ticket will cost.