On the afternoon of Friday 24 July, the former Royal Navy frigate HMS Westminster was towed out of HMNB Portsmouth’s North Corner Jetty for the final time, marking the end of the vessel’s long association with the fleet and the city’s waterfront. Photographers and onlookers gathered along the Hot Walls as the ship slipped past the harbour entrance shortly before the Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan arrived at the base.
What happened on the day
The vessel, a decommissioned Type 23 frigate, left Portsmouth at about 1.15pm. Observers reported visible signs of corrosion and scaffolding on the hull; much of the ship’s equipment appears to have been removed while she was in port. A Royal Navy spokesperson confirmed the ship will undergo disposal after a competitive recycling tender.
“Decommissioned Type-23 frigate HMS Westminster will leave Portsmouth for the final time on Friday, 24 July. Following the Ministry of Defence's competitive recycling tendering process, the frigate will now undergo disposal at an appropriately authorised recycling facility.”
Background and service record
HMS Westminster was commissioned in 1994 and has served in a number of prominent operations. Her deployments over three decades included Nato operations and missions in the Gulf region. Notable service highlights recorded during her career included involvement in Operation Ellamy in 2011 and participation in international exercises such as Joint Warrior and Dynamic Mongoose.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1994 | Ship commissioned |
| 2011 | Involved in Operation Ellamy (Libya) |
| 2024 | Decommissioned |
| 2025 | Placed under Disposal Reserve Ships Organisation in Portsmouth |
| 2026 | Towed from HMNB Portsmouth for disposal |
Why the ship is being disposed of
The frigate was retired in 2024 after assessments concluded she was not suitable for a refit. Since then she has been managed locally by the Disposal Reserve Ships Organisation. The Ministry of Defence has run a competitive process to select an appropriate recycling facility; the Royal Navy has said the ship will be processed at an authorised site.
Local impact and public interest
For many residents and visitors, the passing of HMS Westminster is a visible reminder of Portsmouth’s long naval history and of the changing shape of the fleet. The movement of retired vessels through the harbour often attracts enthusiasts and photographers to vantage points such as the Hot Walls, where crowds gathered to watch the ship depart.
- Visible condition: rusting hull, scaffolding and stripped fittings while in port.
- Formal process: disposal following the MoD’s competitive recycling tender.
- Historic service: commissioned 1994, served in NATO and Gulf operations.
HMS Westminster leaves a record of varied deployments and exercises across three decades. Her departure also highlights ongoing decisions around the management and disposal of decommissioned naval vessels, matters that touch on environmental regulation, local maritime activity and heritage considerations. The Royal Navy has not disclosed the name of the recycling facility handling the frigate.
Further developments — including the identity of the authorised recycling site and the schedule for her dismantling — will be reported as details become available from the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Navy.
