 She was initially operated under the management of British Channel Islands Shipping Co Ltd.

"Empire Balham" was a member of a number of convoys during the Second World War

Convoy COC 173 sailed from Falmouth, on 22 May 1945 and arrived at Granville, Manche on 23 May.In 1946, "Empire Balham" was sold to Queenship Navigation Ltd, London and renamed "Nordic Queen".In 1958, "Nordic Queen" was sold to the Maldavian National Shipping Corp (Ceylon) Ltd, and renamed "Maldive Star".