Builder says plan for new Titanic draws interest

HONG KONG (AP) — The Australian billionaire who's building a high-tech replica of the Titanic at a Chinese shipyard has received an "overwhelming" response from people who want to be the first paying passengers.

Representatives for Clive Palmer said Saturday the company has received inquiries from around the world. Half a dozen have even offered $1 million or more to be on the maiden voyage in 2016.

Palmer announced last April that he planned to build Titanic II with the help of state-owned Chinese company CSC Jinling Shipyard. Officials from Palmer's company, Blue Star Line, said they hoped to sign a final contract with the shipbuilder soon.

The Titanic was the world's largest and most luxurious ocean liner when it hit an iceberg in the North Atlantic and sank on April 15, 1912.

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