Chinese Yard Starts Building Titanic Replica

China Daily reports that the construction of a replica Titanic is now underway. The lifesize replica is expected to be complete by August 2017 and open to the public in October 2017.

Shipbuilder Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group, a Chinese State-run shipbuilder, is undertaking the one billion yuan ($161.3 million) project. Sichuan-based company Seven Star Energy Investment Group is reportedly providing the funds.

China Daily reports that Su Shaojun, chairman of Seven Star, said that he wanted, through the reconstruction - to share and spread the spirit of the Titanic ?love and self-sacrifice.

The replica will be the centrepiece of a theme park expected to attract tourists from around the world.

Su also stated that Seven Star has launched the Titanic Foundation which aims to provide assistance to shipwreck accident victims. Three percent of ticket sales and one percent of the theme park’s income will go to the foundation.

Seven Star is in talks with U.S.-based designers to help them with layout details.

The replica will be permanently moored on Daying Qi river in Sichuan province where the park is located, but visitors will be able to experience the infamous iceberg collision via high-tech simulation.

The project was first announced in January 2014, and a limited number of 5,000 tickets are expected to go on sale in June.