Launched as Hudson Progress and was for a while laid up. She was sold to become Balder London, registered in the name of Lloyds Industrial Leasing Ltd, under the British flag, and beneficially owned for a while by Parley Augustsson & Co, of Norway. Before joining the RFA, Balder London carried aviation fuel from Ascension Island to the Falklands in 1982, and at the end of the conflict was at San Carlos Water. She entered service with the RFA in 1984, having arrived at Falmouth on 9 March for refit and commissioned there on 2 May.
