Controversial billionaire Clive Palmer has promised to finally build his Titanic II ocean liner, with hopes the it will retrace the original Titanic’s planned maiden voyage in June 2027.
The lofty project has been in the works since 2013, however the founder of the now-deregistered United Australia Party founder said he wasn’t dismayed by the set backs due to “unforeseen global delays” and the Covid pandemic.
Announcing the latest reiteration of the project at Sydney’s Opera House, Mr Palmer said the “ballpark” $1bn project would start construction by January or February next year.
He said design plans for the 56,000 tonne, nine-deck ship were being finalised, and a number of global partners had been secured, with tenders set to be confirmed by June.
He said reconstructing the fated ship, which sank during its maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York in 1912, killing an estimated 1517 crew and passengers, was a “statement of values,” and repeatedly confirmed he had the funds to do so.
“It’s an epic example for all of us, of courage, resilience and of service, and I think they’re the things we’re missing in our society today.
“We remember the musicians who played ’Nearer My God To Three’ as the ship sunk,” he said.
“Remember what was important for those people was not themselves or saving themselves, but serving others.”
The Queensland businessman’s obsession project has been well-documented. Prior to Wednesday, his most recent push at realising the Titanic replica was in 2018, with a proposed sail date of 2022.
He also blamed Covid for dashed consumer confidence in the cruising industry, referencing super spreader events on liners such as the Coral Princess, and the Ruby Princess.
However, with confidence in the industry renewed, Mr Palmer said a “couple of million people” had already registered their interest on the 2500-passenger vessel.
He said he believed this iteration of the project would finally see the Titanic II built, because of funds.
“Because I’ve got more money now,” he said.
“I’ve got more money, so I can do it.”
Apart from his ship building aspirations, Mr Palmer has currently been outspoken over the federal Labor government’s yet-to-be-introduced legislation to limit caps on election spending and donations.
Mr Palmer claimed it was an attempt by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to “intimidate”.
“The real question should be Is he trying to intimidate me? Is he trying to intimidate Australians not to say something different,” he said.
“What’s wrong with the debate? What’s wrong with the discussion? I mean, if someone spends a trillion dollars on a bad idea, well, that’s up to him.”
Earlier this year, Mr Palmer’s Mineralogy was revealed as the biggest donor in the 2022-23 financial year. Figures from the Australian Electoral Commission stated the company had donated more than $7m across 10 payments to the UAP.
The figure however, was significantly lower than the $116.9m Mineralogy spent in the 2021-22 election year, which secured former Victorian real estate agent Ralph Babet a seat in the Senate.
Reflecting on Mr Babet’s performance in parliament, Mr Palmer said it had been “excellent”.