Royal Naval Supply and Transport Service


The Royal Naval Supply and Transport Service, or RNSTS, was the civilian crewed logistics service that supported the British Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ; being part of the MOD (Navy). It was formed in 1965 and was abolished in 1994, its role being taken over by the Naval Bases and Supply Agency.

Responsibilities

The RNSTS was responsible for the maintenance, distribution and clerical oversight of all forms of stores between depot and ship. This included:
Some RNSTS personnel served at sea on RFA replenishment ships. During the Falklands War the RNSTS was responsible for supplying the task force, as well as pressing over 50 commercial ships such as the Queen Elizabeth 2 into military service.
The head of the RNSTS was the Director General Supply and Transport, or DGST. On 21 October 1982, following the conclusion of the Falklands operation, Sir Frank Cooper, PUS, sent a message to DGST including
"...I would like you to convey to all members of the RNSTS, including the RFA,...my sincere appreciation of their considerable efforts. I know my appreciation is shared wholeheartedly by other members of the Defence Council. Without the sterling work of the RNSTS,the successful outcome of the Falklands campaign might well have been jeopardised. The tasks that fell to them were undertaken with a vigour, dedication and willingness which deserves the highest praise. I should like formally to commend the whole of the RNSTS, including the RFA, and to send congratulations and thanks to everyone involved."

After some 30 years in being the RNSTS ceased to be on absorption into the Naval Bases and Supply Agency on 1 April 1994.