Clive Palmer announces production has resumed on Titanic II

Have you ever wondered what life was like on the illustrious RMS Titanic? Well, thanks to Clive Palmer, you could experience it first-hand.

A video posted by Clive Palmer’s cruise company, Blue Star Line, shows the Australian billionaire discussing the newest advancement in his six-year struggle to build a working, modern replica of the famous RMS Titanic.

Plans to build the Titanic II began in 2012, exactly 100 years after the infamous tragedy that killed more than 1,500 passengers. Palmer’s announcement saw 20,000 people express interest in the venture that was predicted to set sail in 2016.

However, after a severe financial dispute in 2015, production of the ship was put on a hiatus.  Now three years on, Blue Star Line announced work on the ship has officially recommenced with the revised launch date now in 2022.

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The mining tycoon presented himself to cameras in a tuxedo as he spoke about the new “ship of peace”.

In a video that has been shared widely on social media, his first words played on John F. Kennedy’s famous speech prior to the moon landing as he said: “Travellers in time – why build the Titanic? Why go to the moon? Why does Cambridge play Oxford? Why did Cook discover Australia. Because they could. And they can. And we can build the Titanic.”

The replica ship is said to have the exact same cabin layout, ballroom and Turkish baths as the original. Palmer said it will follow the journey of its predecessor from Southampton to New York but will also circumnavigate the globe.

Palmer talked highly about the original ship calling it a “ship of dreams” and saying: “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.’’  

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In a controversial move, Palmer appointed his fugitive nephew Clive Mensink as the European chief of the new project. Due to Brexit, Mensink will most likely relocate from the cruise line’s London office to the new location in Paris.

Palmer finished his eccentric speech paying homage to the director of the classic 1997 film Titanic saying: “And as James Cameron reminds us… my heart will go on. By learning from the lessons of the past, the spirit of Rose and Jack… lives in all of us.”