UK awards Brexit ferry contract to firm with no ships

Britain’s tortuous breakup with the European Union took a bizarre turn yesterday after it emerged that London has awarded an emergency ferry services contract to a company without any ships. Britain reached three commercial agreements to move cargo should the main cross-Channel sea route grind to a halt after Brexit takes place on March 29.

Two of them went to established companies in Denmark and France. The smallest of the three was won by Seaborne Freight -- a London-based firm that only intends to start providing ferry services next year. Britain’s transport department did not explain why Seaborne was handed the $17.7 million deal.

“This contract was awarded in the full knowledge that Seaborne Freight is a new shipping provider, and that the extra capacity and vessels would be provided as part of its first services,” the ministry said in a statement released to AFP. “As with all contracts, we carefully vetted the company’s commercial, technical and financial position in detail before making the award.” But a local councillor said it seemed unlikely that Seaborne could have everything set up in time.