Brexit deadline looms for Asia-bound ships as slow boats to China set sail from the UK

Dozens of cargo ships will set sail on Friday from the United Kingdom on journeys that will see them enter Asian ports after the United Kingdom has left the European Union.

The status of these container ships is causing headaches among officials at the British Consulate General in Hong Kong, the South China Morning Post understands, ahead of the planned Brexit on March 29, with some journeys lasting as long as 48 days.

The officials are concerned that ships could be “stranded at sea” in the case of a no deal Brexit, while legal experts have said that if the UK exits the EU without a deal, some of the cargo could be stuck in customs purgatory.

“Because the UK currently takes advantage of EU relationships, I suspect that in practical terms, customs declarations are being filled in by the handlers before the goods leave the UK,” said David Hansom, a partner at Clyde & Co in London, who leads the law firm’s Brexit advisory.

But these customs documents could become void en route, should the legal status of the goods change post-Brexit.

“That’s the risk. I think there’s a possibility of a need for re-declaration during the voyage, because in a no-deal scenario, there are no rules,” Hansom added.