The latest of our affiliated ships, HMS Portland was the eighth RN Warship to bear the name and was launched from the Marconi Marine shipyard in Scotstown on the Clyde on 15 May 1999 by Lady Heather Brigstocke.

The Ship was accepted into service by the Royal Navy on 15 December 2000 and was commissioned on 3 May 2001.

The penultimate in a class of fifteen ships, she achieved a top speed of 30.8 knots during contractor's sea trials in the Summer of 2000.  This is held as a record as no other ship in her class has achieved this.

During the Ship's first visit to Portland in June 2001, the Earl of Portland gave his permission for the Ship to adopt his family motto of "Craignez Honte".  This translates as "Fear Dishonour".

When HMS PORTLAND is at sea and taking on stores from another Ship, the Ship is allowed to fly a flag which carries the family crest, shown above.