Pictured: Three-storey barge that could become floating hotel for refugees

01 April 2023 , 20:23

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The 91 metres long barge is called Bibby Stockholm

This three-storey accommodation barge could soon be a home for refugees arriving on British shores.

Sources at the Barbados Maritime Ship Registry, which has regulatory control over it, confirmed the Home Office wants to charter the vessel from Liverpool-based Bibby Marine.

Bibby Marine said it was unable to give details of the Home Office approach, “due to legal agreements”.

BMSR boss Giovanni Ciniglio said Bibby Marine had “not yet signed the contract but they intend to take the job”.

The barge, called Bibby Stockholm, is 91 metres long and houses 506 people.

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Bibby Marine said it has been refurbished since a watchdog called it an “oppressive environment” when the Dutch government used it to house asylum seekers in 2005.

It was also used by energy firm Petrofac for workers building the Shetland Gas Plant.

Robert Jenrick (PA)

According to sources, chartering such a vessel costs £8,000 to £15,000 a day.

The move comes after Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said the Tories were “exploring the possibility” of using ships instead of hotels, which is thought to be costing taxpayers £6million a day.

Matthew Dresch