It was temporarily part of the responsibility of the Ministry of Shipping as its Transport Department from 1917 to 1921, though still under the auspice of the Admiralty.

In order to deliver the requirements for the provision of naval transportation services for the Admiralty its Directors of the Transport were given joint roles he was appointed head of the Admiralty Department and made an officer of the Board of Trade.

In 1970 it moved back to the Board of Trade where it was renamed as the Sea Transport Branch.

Included:[29][30] Included:[31][32] At various ports both in the United Kingdom and overseas responsibility for the provision of transportation service lay with appointed officials called a Principal Naval Transport Officer or a Divisional Transport Officer these positions were often filled by a retired officer – as conditions required - though not always.

[33][34][35] This officer was seconded by the Admiralty to the ministry of shipping as its representative under the Board of Trade.