Titanic II Sailing to New York

Titanic 11

More than a 100 years since RMS Titanic was due to berth in the United States on its grand maiden voyage, a 21st century version of the legendary passenger ship, Titanic II, is coming to New York.

Blue Star Line chairman Professor Clive Palmer's dream for Titanic II is being unveiled at a Global Launch aboard the retired aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, a national historic landmark moored in New York Harbour and now home to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.

The Australian billionaire will display the design plans for Titanic II at a gala black-tie dinner on USS Intrepid attended by more than 500 guests.

"While the focus of this Global Launch is to release never before seen blueprints of Titanic II, the event will also pay tribute to Titanic, her passengers and crew as well as look to the future and celebrate Titanic II," Professor Palmer said.

"Titanic was a ship of dreams and Titanic II will be the ship where the dreams come true."

He said his plan to build Titanic II and sail her from Southampton to New York on her maiden passenger voyage in late 2016 had generated worldwide interest.

"We have had more than 40,000 enquiries from around the world from people expressing an interest in securing a booking for the maiden voyage," he said.

A who's who of world leaders, senior diplomats and major American political figures will be treated to performances by Australian entertainer Glenn Shorrock, an Irish band from Australia, McGuinness & Co, as well as South Korean acoustic guitarist Sungha Jung and US classical violinist Taylor Davis.

Professor Palmer said his aim when it came to sourcing entertainment for the Global Launch was to make sure it reflected the entertainment aboard the original RMS Titanic in 1912.

"We have managed to source an array of established and up and coming artists," he said.

Professor Palmer said guests at the gala dinner would enjoy a 11-course 'Captain's Atlantic Dinner' featuring dishes from the original Titanic menus.

"I am flying in 60 top chefs from around the world to prepare this feast for our distinguished guests," he said.

Members of Club de Madrid, the world's largest forum of former democratic presidents and prime ministers, will be well represented at the launch.

The evening will be attended by former Canadian Prime Minister and Club de Madrid founder Kim Campbell as well as the Club's Executive Director  and Vice President of The Gorbachev Foundation Anthony Jones and former President of Colombia Andrés Pastrana.

Other dignitaries include New York Senators Patrick M. Gallivan, Ruth Hassell-Thompson and Kevin S. Parker, Australia's Senior Trade Commissioner to the United States Richard Leather and United Kingdom's Consul General to New York Danny Lopez.

Directors Ding Jian Liang and Zhang Qi Ying from China's state-owned CSC Jinling Shipyard, who have been commissioned by Blue Star Line to build and coordinate the construction of Titanic II in China, will attend the New York dinner.

Professor Palmer said also joining him will be Markku Kanerva, Director of Sales of Finland-based marine design company Deltamarin, which has been commissioned to design Titanic II.

Other guests include Helen Benziger, a descendant of famous American socialite and Titanic survivor, Margaret 'Molly' Brown, who has agreed to join the advisory board for the Titanic II project.

Charity auctions will be held at the dinner in New York with proceeds going to answerthecall.org (The New York Police and Fire Widow's Children's Benefit Fund).

For more information or to register interest in the maiden voyage, visit www.bluestarline.com.au

Follow @clivefpalmer @titanic_ii and @blue_star_line on Twitter