[2] In December 1961, the Ministry of Transport ordered the first in a new class of 6,000-ton military supply vessels from Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company of Govan.

The class was designed to replace the World War II-era Mark 8 Landing Craft Tank vessels in service.

Thanks to their shallow draught, they could beach themselves and use the bow doors for speedy unloading of troops and equipment.

The former was replaced by a new, 8,861 GT vessel of the same name, while the latter was rebuilt and returned to service.

HMAS Tobruk, formerly operated by the Royal Australian Navy, was based on the Round Table design.