"Cardigan Bay" and sister ship were ordered from BAE on 19 November 2001. "Cardigan Bay" was laid down at BAE's shipyard at Govan, Scotland on 13 October 2003. Plans to launch the ship on 8 April 2005 were frustrated by high winds and unusually low tides; the naming ceremony was carried out that day, and the actual launching took place the next day, with more favourable tide conditions. "Cardigan Bay" was dedicated on 18 December 2006, the third of the class to enter service with the RFA.