Professor Clive Palmer today released preliminary plans and drawings for the Titanic II project devised by international ship design and engineering company, Finnish-based Deltamarin.

The Titanic II Preliminary General Arrangement Plan and Preliminary Midship Section Drawing depicts nine decks complete with first, second and third class, officer and crew accommodation as well as the insertion of a new ‘Safety Deck’.

Professor Palmer said the plans from Deltamarin for his shipping company Blue Star Line represent a significant milestone for the Titanic II project.

“These plans underline the commitment and progression Blue Star Line has for the Titanic II project,” Professor Palmer said.

He said from deck D upwards Deltamarin have managed to keep the public rooms, passenger stairs, cabins and other features in similar locations as in the original ship.

“The Preliminary General Arrangement plans depict the original separation between first, second and third class, which will be kept in the ship’s final design,” Professor Palmer said.

“To ensure Titanic II is compliant with all current safety and construction regulations, a new ‘Safety Deck’ has been inserted between D and C decks and will feature proper lifeboats, safety chutes or slides as well as new common public rooms.

“New escape stairs, service elevators, air conditioning room and similar functions have also been added and the inclusions of main fire zones have been designed so that they have minimum disturbance on public rooms.

“G deck has also been re-designed to now feature crew accommodation, laundry, stores and machinery.”

The final design is subject to approval of the board of Blue Star Lines.

He reaffirmed the first voyage remains set for late 2016, with the intention for Titanic II to sail from China to England before her maiden passenger voyage retracing its original journey.

“Blue Star Line’s website continues to receive an overwhelming response from people expressing an interest in receiving regular updates from us or requesting information on how to secure bookings for Titanic II’s maiden voyage,” Professor Palmer said.

On April 30, 2012, Professor Palmer announced to the world his intention to build and launch Titanic II in conjunction with leading Chinese shipbuilders, CSC Jinling Shipyard.

The announcement came 100 years after the original vessel last sailed.

The work carried out by Deltamarin, one of the world’s leading ship design and marine engineering companies, will enable China’s CSC Jinling Shipyard to begin construction of the passenger liner.