She had three Leaf-class sisters Oakleaf, Brambleleaf and Bayleaf and all four were originally designed as commercial tankers and underwent major conversions to bring them up to RFA standards and equip them for naval support.

When the ordering company ran into financial difficulties the builders completed three of the ships but they were then laid up and later offered for charter or for purchase.

[3] In June 1979 Hudson Progress was purchased by Lloyds Industrial Leasing, London and sailed from the Mersey to the Clyde for trials.

[3] On 13 June 1988 she sailed from HMNB Portsmouth as part of Task Group 318.1, the 'Outback 88' Deployment led by the Invincible-class aircraft carrier Ark Royal, along with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s Fort Rosalie-class replenishment ship Fort Grange and Ol-class "fast fleet tanker" Olwen.

On 23 October 2009, she was moved from Birkenhead dry-docks into the River Mersey and so to the Cammell Laird shipyard to continue a major refit.