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Mining magnate Clive Palmer (69) announced his ambitious plan on Wednesday afternoon (local time) at the Sydney Opera House. The Titanic II’s maiden voyage from Southampton, UK, to New York will take place in June 2027 and, unlike the ill-fated voyage in 1912, will occur without a collision with an iceberg. Palmer wants to spend between 500 million and one billion Australian dollars (between 300 and 600 million euros) to make his long-cherished dream come true.
It is not the first time that the wealthy entrepreneur has presented his vision for a new Titanic: he had already announced a corresponding project in 2012. But then there were more and more delays, for example due to the corona pandemic and, according to media reports, also due to payment disputes with an involved Chinese company.
“A lot of things didn’t go right when we first presented the project,” Australian news agency AAP quoted him as saying. “But I am still here with the same commitment, and now that the pandemic is over, we will do it.” The eccentric billionaire did not say at which shipyard the luxury ship would be built. Construction will start in early 2025.
The Titanic is more than just a ship, enthuses Palmer, who also worked for a while as a politician. “She is an epic example of courage, resilience and dedication for all of us.” When asked if financing was secure, he replied that he had significantly more money today than he did ten years ago and that he could build multiple Titanics if he wanted. “I have two options: either I give my wife more money for shopping, or I spend it on the Titanic – and I spend it on the Titanic because she bought enough.”
The “Titanic” set sail on its maiden voyage to New York from Southampton in southern England on April 10, 1912 with more than 2,200 people on board. After just a few days, the luxury ship, which was considered unsinkable, hit an iceberg and sank. More than 1,500 people died.
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
