The British government has canceled a contract to ship goods to the country after Brexit with a company that turned out to have no boats and no experience running a ferry service.

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May talks to journalists after her meeting with European Council President Donald Tusk at the European Council headquarters in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019. (Photos: AP)
Authorities had been criticized for the 13.8 million pound ($18 million) deal with Seaborne Freight, part of plans to keep trade flowing if Britain leaves the European Union without a divorce deal.
The Department for Transport said Saturday that it had ended the contract because an Irish firm that was backing Seaborne Freight had withdrawn its support.
Britain is due to leave the European Union on March 29. U.K. businesses fear a "no-deal" Brexit will cause economic chaos by ripping up the trade rulebook and imposing tariffs, customs checks and other barriers between the U.K. and the EU.
Cover image: A billboard is displayed as part of the "Led By Donkeys" remain in the European Union supporting campaign, which aims to highlight quotes on Brexit made by politicians and organizations, in Finsbury Park, north London, Friday, Feb. 8, 2019.