VICTORIA 1

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Ferry ended contract as refugees accomodation ship

The 'Victoria I' returned to Tallinn on Aug 1, 2023, after a stint hosting Ukrainian refugees who fled to Scotland. The company signed an agreement with the Scottish government in July 2022, and the ship docked in Edinburgh. The contract ended on July 11. More than 1,000 Ukrainians used the vessel as temporary accommodation over the last year. Tallink's ferries also acted as temporary housing for Ukrainian refugees in Estonia and the Netherlands. The ship docked at Tallinn's Old Harbor. The board will make a decision on its future by the start of September. The 'Victoria I' previously sailed on the Tallinn-Stockholm route.

Displaced Ukrainians to be offered new accomodation

Ukrainians displaced by the Russian war who are currently living on the 'Victoria I' in Edinburgh will be offered new accommodation over the next two months. Over 1,000 people are living on the ferry which has been docked at the port of Leith since last summer. The ship's contract was renewed in December but the Scottish government has said the deal will end on July 11. People without a home to move to in July are likely to be temporarily housed in hotels, with the Scottish government picking up the bill. Not all of the people on board will remain in Edinburgh with other parts of Scotland being considered.

Ukrainian refugees on Edinburgh cruise ship face homelessness without housing plan

No plans have been made to move displaced Ukrainians living on the 'Victoria I' in Edinburgh into proper housing, as the council warned a failure to arrange long-term accommodation for refugees could leave many homeless. More than 1,600 people are still living aboard the ferry which docked in Leith in June 2022, as part of the Scottish Government's response to support those who fled the Russian war. However, there are growing concerns for the welfare of its inhabitants, with the British Red Cross voicing concerns about refugees staying in "windowless" cabins for months on end "in limbo". Among the issues reported to the council by those living on the 'Victoria I' were lack of living space, poor internet bandwidth and concerns about onward accommodation. The ship had its contract extended by the Government at the end of 2022, and it was yet to be confirmed if it will continue housing Ukrainians beyond June. But it remains the most likely option, after a council report said there is "not currently a long term national accommodation strategy". The report, which was presented to the policy and sustainability committee on March 21, said if long term settled accommodation options are not identified in the city this would present a "substantial risk" to the council's homelessness services.