The construction of a Titanic replica could begin this year after the billionaire behind the project said an engineering company had been hired to carry out a feasibility study.
Plans by Australian mining billionaire Clive Palmer to build a 21st century version of the Titanic are progressing.
His Blue Star Line announced that Finland's Deltamarin will undertake a full review of the Titanic II project to ensure the vessel will be compliant with all current safety and construction regulations, as well as meeting the design criteria laid down by Blue Star Line.
The work carried out by Deltamarin will enable China's CSC Jinling Shipyard to begin construction of the passenger liner.
Blue Star Line has been overwhelmed by the international response to the Titanic II project, which was announced in April this year.
"More than 20,000 people have registered on Blue Star Line's website expressing an interest in receiving regular updates from us or requesting information on how to secure bookings for Titanic II's maiden voyage," Palmer said.
He reaffirmed the 2016 launch date for the ship and the intention for Titanic II to sail from China to England before her maiden passenger voyage retracing its original journey.
Titanic sank 100 years ago en route from Southampton to New York.