In September 1941, SS Aorangi of 13,415 tons, was requisitioned by the British Ministry of War Transport, and left Sydney for the United Kingdom. She was one of a convoy of large liners carrying troops and supplies for the near east. In January of 1942, when the Japanese invasion of Malaya was well under way Aorangi was diverted to Singapore which at the time was under heavy attack by Japanese aircraft. She departed Singapore with a large number of women and children being evacuated to Australia. After disembarking her evacuees the Aorangi subsequently sailed to Canada and from there sailed in a number of different convoys with troops to India, the Mediterranean, the United States and to the United Kingdom. All told she transported 36,000 troops and evacuated 5500 refugees from war zones.

In May 1944, Aorangi was fitted out as depot ship for 150 tugs in readiness for the Normandy Landings, which included provision for supplies of all kinds, engine repairs, and hospital accommodation. From D-Day (June 6th, 1944) to the end of July the Aorangi serviced 1200 vessels and countless small craft, her hospital dealt with many wounded men from the beachheads. She was later stationed as Commodore’s Ship in the Fleet Train, British Pacific Fleet stationed at Hong Kong. She returned to trade in August 1948.