First 50 Migrants to Arrive on Bibby Stockholm Barge in Coming Days

On the Bibby Stockholm barge, the first 50 asylum applicants are anticipated to arrive soon. The Home Office anticipates sending the group to Portland, Dorset, on Tuesday, according to a source in Whitehall.

Over the upcoming months, the number of passengers is expected to progressively increase, with the ship finally holding roughly 500 men. It follows demonstrations at Portland Port regarding the barge, which attempts to cut down on the usage of hotels by those holding out for asylum applications.

The Bibby Stockholm is anticipated to stay in Portland for 18 months and will accommodate migrants aboard a berthed vessel for the first time in the UK.

The government said that it was necessary to lower the price of lodging asylum seekers since there are already 51,000 of them staying in hotels throughout the UK, which costs the taxpayer about £6 million each day.

The tweet below confirms the news:

.@MicroRainbow and @rainbowmigrants firmly condemn the proposal to house people seeking asylum on the #BibbyStockholm barge. Read our joint response, asking the Home Office to commit to safeguarding #LGBTQI people seeking asylum.https://t.co/n8wYX7nQT4

— Micro Rainbow (@MicroRainbow) July 28, 2023

The initial arrival of asylum seekers had to be postponed due to repair work, but a source said the first arrivals were anticipated to happen the next week. The Bibby Stockholm has now berthed in Portland after completing a mandatory inspection and renovation, according to a Home Office spokesman.

The barge is currently undergoing final preparations to ensure it complies with all applicable requirements prior to the arrival of the first asylum seekers in the upcoming weeks. “The welfare of those in our care is of the utmost priority,” the statement reads.