Marginal note:British ships under prior lease
(2) British ships, other than Canadian ships, the product of a country entitled to the benefits of the British Preferential Tariff or the product of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, the Republic of Ireland or Hong Kong, under lease pursuant to a written contract entered into prior to January 6, 1983 for the purpose of engaging in the coasting trade of Canada pursuant to Part X of the Canada Shipping Act, shall be deemed to be duty and tax paid ships under federal customs laws throughout the term of the lease to the first Canadian lessee or any renewal thereof, excluding renewals entered into on or after January 6, 1983.