Gigantic tanker that refuels warships spotted on River Mersey

These pictures show the immense RFA Tiderace berthed in the Mersey after undergoing work at Cammell Laird.

The 39,000 tonne tanker spent today at the Liverpool cruise terminal and is set to leave the region's waters on Friday.

It is one of four Tide-class tankers used by the Royal Fleet Auxillary to provide logistical support all over the world to the Royal Navy.

(Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

Operations include refuelling warships at sea.

Cammell Laird won the tender to maintain the four Tide-class tankers - RFA Tiderace, RFA Tidespring, RFA Tidesurge and RFA Tideforce - in 2018 in a deal worth millions of pounds to the Birkenhead shipyard.

It also holds the contract to maintain five other vessels within the RFA flotilla.

RFA Tiderace at the Liverpool Cruise Terminal. Photo by Colin Lane (Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

The two contracts were valued at more than £600m when they were announced.

After undergoing maintenance at Cammell Laird, RFA Tiderace berthed at the cruise terminal on Thursday and is set to leave the Mersey at 10am on Friday.