MINISTERS have ditched plans to hire barges from the Far East to house Channel migrants — because it takes months to tow them to Britain.
Home Office officials are now looking at vessels docked in Europe — which would arrive here sooner.
It is understood brokers looked at two ships in Indonesia.
One, with potential to house more than 10,000, was until recently being “readied for overseas lease”.
A ship under construction that could house up to 3,000 people was also considered.
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Sources at the Home Office said both approaches and other potential vessels were axed.
An accommodation barge has been secured to house about 500 single adult male asylum seekers at Portland, Dorset.
They will arrive within “a couple of months” according to insiders.
The Home Office said barges were better value for money than hotels.
A spokesperson said: “The pressure on the asylum system has continued to grow and requires us to look at a range of accommodation options which offer better value for money for taxpayers than hotels.
“This includes the potential use of vessels to provide accommodation.”