News / Uncertainty over Brexit driving shipowners to run down the UK flag

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Uncertainty around Brexit may be making its mark, but the loss of vessels this year from the UK Ship Register may also be due to the requirement for vessel operators to comply with EU maritime regulations.

According to figures from vesselsvalue.com (VV) obtained by The Loadstar, 234 vessels have reflagged from the UK since the start of the year, including 53 containerships.

Chief operating officer at VV Adrian Economakis told The Loadstar this equated to a 9% reduction, and was equivalent to a ...