Bibby Stockholm: A Retrospective on the Asylum Barge’s Controversial Tenure

With the final asylum seekers preparing to depart the Bibby Stockholm, a review of the barge’s history is presented, which has been a contentious presence for south Dorset residents for over a year. This vessel was designed to serve as temporary accommodation for as many as 500 single adult male asylum seekers, aligning with Home Office initiatives aimed at alleviating strain on the asylum system. Initially part of the prior Conservative government’s immigration strategy, its use was terminated in July, marking one of the initial policy changes by the new Labour administration. The remaining asylum seekers housed on the barge are scheduled to disembark. From its inception, the project drew objections from Portland residents. A series of demonstrations were initiated by two local organizations, each opposing the plan for distinct reasons. In March 2023, Suella Braverman, then the Conservative Home Secretary, declared that accommodation vessels would be utilized to house asylum seekers, aiming to cut the daily cost of hotel usage, which was then estimated at approximately £6 million. Portland was designated as the initial site. The plan faced condemnation from Dorset councillors, with one individual characterizing it as “a devil’s deal”. Demonstrations took place on Portland; specifically, a Saturday in July 2023 featured a Stand up to Racism rally, concurrently with a distinct march organized by the No to the Barge group. Significant opposition arose from anxieties regarding the potential strain on Portland’s local services and worries about the living conditions aboard the vessel. The Archbishop of Canterbury also advocated for the government to postpone the initiative. Justin Welby stated to the BBC: “This is about human dignity, and not just that of the refugees and asylum seekers – that is absolutely essential – it’s the human dignity of these communities in which they are going to be.” Shortly thereafter, the Bibby Stockholm was transported to a dry dock in Falmouth for refurbishment. The rooms underwent an overhaul, which included the addition of extra beds to accommodate more individuals, thereby increasing its capacity to 500. Following the completion of inspections, the Bibby Stockholm was towed during the night from Cornwall to Portland Port, reaching its destination early on 17 July 2023. At dawn, dozens of protestors assembled, anticipating the Bibby Stockholm’s final approach into the port. A protestor informed the BBC that the agreement between Portland Port and the Home Office for docking the barge was “nothing to do about anything other than money”. On 8 August 2023, the initial group of asylum seekers was transported by coach to Portland from hotels both locally and nationwide. Fifteen men boarded the vessel, but a distinct group of 20 declined to embark. Upon boarding, residents expressed varied opinions. One asylum seeker conveyed to the BBC that the barge resembled a prison and believed there was insufficient space to house up to 500 individuals, contrary to government plans. Another resident commended the food and described the barge as “quite a nice place” featuring small but “clean and tidy rooms”. Although additional asylum seekers were anticipated to board in the subsequent days and months, the group of 39 had to be relocated to a hotel in Devon in under a week. This move followed the discovery of legionella bacteria traces in the onboard water system, which carries the risk of causing Legionnaires disease. Two months subsequent to this, the UK Health Security Agency declared the Bibby Stockholm safe. In the ensuing months, more men boarded, with approximately 490 individuals residing onboard at its peak occupancy. In December, an asylum seeker passed away on the barge. Leonard Farruku, a 27-year-old Albanian, was thought to have died by suicide. Subsequently, the refugee charity Care4Calais and the volunteer organization Portland Global Friendship Group conducted a vigil at the port. Candy Udwin, representing Stand Up to Racism Dorset, commented: “People are devastated. We’ve always said the barge isn’t a place to put people who have mental health issues. Something’s got to be done.” In January, the Home Office disclosed its consideration of acquiring additional barges for migrant accommodation. Nevertheless, these plans were altered following Labour’s victory in the 2024 general election, as the party pledged to “restore order” to the asylum system amidst protests from Bibby residents concerning prolonged delays in processing their claims. The new administration declared that the vessel’s contract would not be extended beyond January 2025. Lloyd Hatton, the incoming Labour MP for South Dorset, informed the BBC: “We all knew right from the start this barge was never going to work and that it was going to cost a fortune.” Cedrick, an asylum seeker from Cameroon, was among the final individuals remaining on the barge. He expressed eagerness to properly commence his “second chance at life” once he departs the vessel. The BBC has been informed that the government incurs an approximate daily cost of £20,000 for chartering the vessel, a figure that excludes expenses for staffing, cleaning, or maintenance. Inquiries were made to the Home Office regarding the total cost of the barge, but they stated that for operational reasons, an exact amount could not be disclosed. With the imminent departure of the last asylum seeker from the barge, the towing away of the Bibby Stockholm is anticipated in due course. Peter Henley, BBC South’s Political Editor, is scheduled to address inquiries concerning the Bibby Stockholm and the immigration discussion on BBC South Today at 18:30, broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Individuals with questions are invited to submit them via the Contact Form provided below. BBC Dorset can be followed on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding its approach to external linking is available.