'Ceres' was a British undertaking to speed the unloading and dispersal of the cargoes delivered to Malta in 'Pedestal' (15 August 1942).

The ships emptied in 'Ceres', at a speed intended to reduce vulnerability to Axis air attack, of vital supplies being handled in a small and exposed area, were the freighters Port Chalmers, Rochester Castle and Melbourne Star, the refrigerated transport Brisbane Star, and the tanker Ohio.