Australian industrialist and billionaire Clive Palmer has contracted with a Chinese shipyard to build a near-replica of the Titanic, according to published reports.
Palmer, owner of Brisbane-based mining conglomerate Minerology, said the 40,000-gross-ton, 840-stateroom Titanic II would be completed in 2016 and operate its maiden voyage from England to New York. The cost of construction was not revealed.
According to reports, the ship will be built by CSC Jinling Shipyard, which is owned by the Chinese government.
This appears to be Palmer’s foray into the cruise industry. He already owns the Hyatt Regency Coolum resort on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, and has plans to build a casino there.
Palmer will build and operate the Titanic II under his newly created company, Blue Star Line.
For cruise news and updates, follow Donna Tunney on Twitter @dttravelweekly.