Blue Star Line chairman Australian Billionaire Clive Palmer announced on Oct. 22 in Brisbane that the company had decided to have its headquarters in Paris. The decision was reached in anticipation of a no-deal agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union with regard to Britain's decision to leave the EU.
Palmer explained that the move means that Blue Star Line would not open the office in Europe until March 2019. Paris was chosen as the city is ideally placed to suit the company's needs for its upcoming launch of the Titanic II.
In line with the decision, Blue Star Line staff would also relocate to Paris. Hiring for additional employees would also take place in the new headquarters.
Palmer assured that negotiations about Titanic II are taking place as the company recovers from a financial problem that delayed the ship's construction for several years. In fact, the much-awaited replica cruise is set to embark on its two-week maiden voyage in 2022.
The CEO said the ship would sail following the original Titanic's very own North Atlantic route, sailing from Dubai to Southampton, England and then to New York.
Titanic II would take after the look and the vibe of the original ship which sunk on April 12, 1912.
Titanic II will look and feel like the original ship, including having the same cabin layout. It would also welcome the same number of passengers of about 2,400 and crew of 900. Titanic II additionally would have modern navigation, 21st-century technology, and the appropriate number of lifeboats.
China has also laid out plans for a similar project called the Romandisea Titanic. The ship, worth $185 million, was planned to have the same size as the original ship but unlike Blue Star Line's Titanic 2, Romandisea Titanic would not be sailing. Instead, it would be permanently docked on the Qi River in Sichuan's Daying county, southwest China.
The Romandisea Titanic would be the prime offering of the Romandisea Seven Star International Cultural Tourism Resort that is set to welcome up to 5000 tourists.
Meanwhile, the European Commission is expected to decide in November on whether British citizens would be required a visa when traveling the European Union in case officials would agree on a no-deal Brexit.
Under a no-deal Brexit the United Kingdom would be listed in the "visa required" list of third countries, The Independent reported. Travelers from Britain would have to make their visa applications six weeks ahead of their trip. They would also be asked to pay 60 Euros for adults and 35 Euros for children.
