Royal Navy's Newest And Greenest Warship Arrives In Portsmouth For First Time

The Royal Navy's newest ship and "most environmentally friendly since the age of sail" has arrived in its home port for the first time.

HMS Tamar, the fourth of five new offshore patrol vessels built in Glasgow, sailed into Portsmouth Naval Base on Thursday.

She is the first of her class to boast an installed urea filter which will reduce exhaust emissions by 90%. 

Lieutenant Commander Mike Hutchinson, Commanding Officer of HMS Tamar, said:  “It’s a great achievement for both the Ship’s Company and our partners in BAE Naval Ships who built Tamar to arrive at Portsmouth Naval Base and begin her generation to a multi-role patrol vessel.”

HMS Tamar will now begin tests and trials with her new crew as they prepare for "operational sea training". 

Meanwhile, the crew are on standby to assist the Government with the coronavirus pandemic if required.

The Navy hope to hold a formal comissioning ceremony for the ship at an "appropriate time" later this year.

Her sister ships include HMS Forth, which is currently patrolling the Falkland Islands, and HMS Medway in the Caribbean. 

The final ship due from Glasgow, HMS Spey, is currently being fitted out on the Clyde.

Cover image: HMS Tamar in Portsmouth (Picture: Royal Navy).