For the first time warships were hosted at the new Hamad Port near Doha during DIMDEX 2018 in Qatar. 

The Shephard media team were able to make it on board a couple of the vessels, the RFA Cardigan Bay and the Italian Navy's Carlo Margottini frigate, to discuss operations in the region and the ships capabilities. 

During a visit to the RFA vessel Shephard spoke to Capt Chris Clarke, commanding officer of the ship, about its deployment in the Gulf.