Scottish Government to end contract for cruise ship used to house Ukrainians

Ukrainian refugees currently living in a cruise ship docked near Glasgow are to be moved into “longer term accommodation”, the Scottish Government has revealed.

A spokesperson confirmed that the contract to use the MS Ambition, docked at Braehead, would come to an end on March 31 this year.

Neil Gray, the minister tasked with special responsibility for refugees from Ukraine, said use of the vessel – currently home to about 1,170 Ukrainians – was always intended to be a “temporary measure”.

He said: “The MS Ambition was a temporary measure to ensure Scotland could respond to the humanitarian crisis facing people in Ukraine and provide an immediate place of safety for displaced people.

“Our focus now is to secure sustainable longer term accommodation for the Ukrainians currently on MS Ambition and in other welcome accommodation to ensure they have the support they need to build a home in Scotland for as long as they need it.

“This includes making full use of existing and new volunteer hosts. I’m extremely grateful to people who are already hosting, as well as those who have already put their details forward and are still waiting to be matched.

“And I encourage anyone considering becoming a host to come forward and provide a warm welcome.”

The announcement that its use is being ended comes after ministers last month extended the contract for another ship being used to house refugees, the MS Victoria which is docked outside Edinburgh, for a further five months.