'Exceptional' RFA Wave Knight to be towed from HMNB Portsmouth after sitting there for months - when
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Both Wave-class tankers were retired in 2024 and have not been used since
A Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) tanker that has been alongside Portsmouth Naval Base for months is due to leave the base.
RFA Wave Knight, a Wave-class fast fleet tanker formerly used by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, is scheduled to leave HMNB Portsmouth tomorrow afternoon (May 27). According to the King’s Harbour Master (KHM) shipping movements, the vessel will be towed from the Victory Jetty at 2.45pm.
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A trio of tug boats, Tempset, Bountiful and Indulgent, will take her to the NAB Tower. During her service, RFA Wave Knight was tasked to furnish Royal Navy ships with critical supplies, from fuel and food to fresh water, ammunition and mechanical parts.
Alongside her sister vessel, RFA Wave Ruler, the tankers were retired by defence secretary John Healey in November 2024 alongside a suite of other capabilities. These included the degrading Type 23 frigate HMS Northumberland, and both Landing Platform Docks, HMS Albion and Bulwark. Mr Healey said both Wave-class tankers “had not been to sea for years”, and taking them and the other assets out of service will save up to £500m over the next five years.
A sale agreement was agreed for both RFA ships in January 2026. Inocea Group, a British international marine and defence technology company, bought the vessels and plans to bring they back to operational service. The Ministry of Defence’s Annual Report and Accounts 2024-2025, both ships had an asset value of £58m. An agreed fee is so far undisclosed.
Inocea Group co-owner Alex Vicefield previously said: “Wave Knight and Wave Ruler are exceptional ships. They have a long life ahead of them supporting critical naval missions worldwide. Their availability is fortuitous and Inocea will leverage its proven capability to address the growing global strain on naval manpower and force structures. Our goal is simple: ensure these exceptional ships can, for decades to come, support allied fleets, extend operational reach, and strengthen allied maritime readiness."