Plans for the 1,000-capacity vessel, Oceandiva to host events on the River Thames have finally been scrapped after a year of community opposition and operational difficulties.
Smart Group, which would have managed the floating venue has stated that it will, “not be able to bring this long-awaited project to fruition”, and blamed “regulatory challenges and infrastructural inadequacies”.
The 86-metre-long boat was originally planned to be operational in late 2022, but only arrived in London in May 2023 and subsequently suffered a series of setbacks.
Oceandiva EU submitted a licensing application to Newham Council, where the boat was to be moored. It received nearly 1,000 objections from residents and businesses along the Thames.
In June 2023, Oceandiva then crashed into the anchor chain of an unmanned barge while carrying out test manoeuvres, causing damage to the £25m vessel. It is now expected to return to Europe.
Smart Group managing director Chloe Jackson said: “It is with deep regret that we will not be able to bring this long-awaited project to fruition. Whilst we acknowledge that this may feel like a victory for local residents and riverside stakeholders, we are sure you can appreciate it is a sad day for the city and indeed Smart Group, as this carbon-neutral, cutting-edge vessel will no longer be redefining events on the River Thames. It is quite simply a missed opportunity for the city.”
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