UK moves to escort British flagged ships will secure transits - trade

Britain's decision to deploy a warship to accompany British-flagged vessels in the Middle East will provide greater safety for vital shipments, the UK's shipping association said on Thursday.

Earlier on Thursday, the government said a British warship will accompany British-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz to defend freedom of navigation, a change in policy after the government previously said it did not have the military resources to do so.

"This move will provide some much-needed safety and reassurance to our shipping community in this uncertain time," Bob Sanguinetti, chief executive of the UK Chamber of Shipping trade association, said in a statement.

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