Transport firms reviewing UK-registered ships ahead of Brexit

Stolt-Nielsen

30/01/2019 15:28

LONDON, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Sweden’s Stena and
Bermuda-registered Stolt-Nielsen  SNI.OL  are reviewing their
UK-registered ships ahead of Britain’s departure from the
European Union, the two leading transport companies told Reuters
separately on Wednesday.
    "In the light of the Brexit process we are considering
whether the UK flag can become a possible issue for us when it
no longer will be an EU flag post the 29th March 2019, but we
have taken no decisions and are reviewing different scenarios,"
said Ian Hampton, chief people & communications officer and
Brexit spokesperson for Stena Line.
    A spokeswoman for Stolt-Nielsen, which is listed in Oslo,
said the group was reviewing the situation.
    Earlier this month, British ferry and shipping freight
operator P&O announced it would shift the registration of its UK
vessels to Cyprus ahead of Brexit, in part to keep its tax
arrangements in the bloc.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL8N1ZM4E6
    Britain is due to leave the European Union on March 29.

 (Reporting by Jonathan Saul;
Editing by Alison Williams)
 ((jonathan.saul@thomsonreuters.com; + 44 207 542 4357 ; Reuters
Messaging: jonathan.saul.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))