The planned replica of the ill-fated cruise ship Titanic is once again aiming to set sail.
Originally planned to launch in 2016 by the Blue Star Line, Australian businessman Clive Palmer, the brainchild of the endeavor, shut down efforts in 2015 because of a financial dispute with a Chinese company and Blue Star Line's parent company, the Palmer-owned Mineralogy.
Now a news release for the line says that financial dispute has been resolved and Palmer is once again planning to put the ocean liner into service. Palmer made the announcement in September along with the revelation of a video showing the new ship's technical details.
"Blue Star Line will create an authentic Titanic experience, providing passengers with a ship that has the same interiors and cabin layout as the original vessel, while integrating modern safety procedures, navigation methods and 21st century technology to produce the highest level of luxurious comfort," Palmer said in the news release.
The original cruise liner sank in 1912 after it struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic killing 1,503 passengers and crew. The new version will have more lifeboats and a steel-reinforced hull.
Plans for the ship have it not only retracing the original Titanic's Southampton-to-New York route, but also doing global sailings, Palmer said. USA Today reported the ship's first sailing is aiming for 2022.
"Millions have dreamt of sailing on her, seeing her in port and experiencing her unique majesty," Palmer said. "Titanic II will be the ship where those dreams come true."
