Mafuta (ship)

Mafuta was a tanker ship built in 1935 by AG Vulcan Stettin in Stettin, Germany (now Szczecin, Poland) for the Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Company (later Shell). She was named after the Swahili word "mafuta," meaning "oil" or "fat."

Mafuta primarily served transporting oil across various routes, including those important to the Allied war effort during World War II. The ship was involved in several notable incidents, including being torpedoed by a German U-boat in 1942. Despite suffering significant damage, she was repaired and returned to service.

Following the war, Mafuta continued to operate as a tanker until she was scrapped in 1959. Her career reflects the vital role of tankers in global oil transport during a period of significant technological advancement and international conflict.