Grimaldi Group, one of Europe's biggest rolling cargo shipowners, is taking 10 of its 'conro' vessels out of the UK register as a consequence of Brexit.
Nine UK-flagged vessels operated by its subsidiary Atlantic Container Line (ACL) have been transferred to the Maltese flag, while a tenth is due to be added in the next few months.
The decision comes nearly four years after the company warned that it may be “obliged” to take action if Brexit was to lead to problems with operating the vessels, and is a further blow to the UK's status as a maritime leader after its exit from the European Union.
