Galaxy-I

The emergency reception of asylum seekers on the 'Galaxy I' in the Western Port Area was extended for the third time. The ship must remain in Amsterdam until at least Oct 1, 2024. The costs of reception on the 'Galaxy I' are at almost three million Euros per month, and the living conditions for asylum seekers are not optimal. Nevertheless, the municipality has chosen to leave the ship on which 1500 asylum seekers can be accommodated, in Amsterdam. Councilor Rutger Groot Wassink (Reception) pointed out that the 'humanitarian test' has been assessed as positive. The test – which is carried out each time an extension – looks at location, safety, work and daytime activities for refugees. The conclusion is about the same as previous times: the place is not ideal, but it is still better than people having to sleep outside on mattresses. Since the arrival of the ship , no serious incidents have occurred at the emergency shelter. The ship is not an ideal place for children to grow up. Play opportunities are limited, which has a negative impact on their mental development. However, moving children would have an even more negative impact, youth health care says. It was therefore decided to leave it as it is. The municipality is currently working on creating a playground. The municipality hopes that it can be put into use in March.

The 'Galaxy' has arrived Amsterdam on Sep 26. The ship has been chartered by the Dutch government to accommodate 1,000 asylum seekers and will spend at least six months docked in the Coen Harbour, between the Coen tunnel and the mooring point for river cruisers. The move is mainly aimed at relieving overcrowding at the Ter Apel reception centre in Groningen, where hundreds of asylum seekers have had to sleep on the grass verge outside, and the charity Médicins Sans Frontières has described conditions as inhumane. The ship will also accommodate some refugees who have been granted residency but were still waiting for a permanent home, as well as children, while up to 10% of spaces will be occupied by people who have claimed asylum from so-called safe countries. Education and day care facilities will be provided on board. The number of beds could be increased to 1,500 and the six-month period extended if necessary. In return the government has agreed to finance an extra 2,500 flexible homes in the city. The first residents are expected to move in at the start of October. On Sep 26 asylum seekers began coming on board another cruise ship, the 'Silja Europa', which has been moored in Velsen-Noord, near IJmuiden.

Amsterdam will also receive a cruise ferry for asylum seekers. The reception will be located in the Westelijk Havengebied, next to the second Coentunnel. From Oct 1, 2022, 1.000 asylum seekers will be accomodated aboard the 'Galaxy', making Amsterdam the second municipality to make a quay available for a cruise ferry to accomodate asylum seekers for six months. The ship will soon dock in the Western Docklands, near the Westerhoofd, just next to the Second Coentunnel which is normally used as a berth for cruise ships, superyachts and barges. It is a temporary solution for the short term. The shelter offers a direct contribution to the coping with the reception crisis.