"Trento" moved to La Spezia on 6 May for an extensive overhaul that lasted until 5 August, at which point she returned to Messina. She took part in the "Duisberg" convoy on 8–9 November along with "Trieste", the two ships serving as the convoy's covering force. The convoy was attacked by British warships in the early hours of 9 November, though the covering force failed to intervene and the convoy was destroyed. Another convoy followed on 21 November, and during the crossing "Trento" helped to defend against a British air attack. Less than a month later, on 16 December, "Trento" joined most of the other heavy units of the fleet to escort two large convoys to Benghazi and Tripoli. The following day, the fleet encountered British forces covering a merchant ship steaming to Malta, leading to the inconclusive First Battle of Sirte. On 22 March 1942, "Trento" joined the battleship , the cruisers and , and several destroyers in an attempt to intercept a British convoy. In the Second Battle of Sirte, the four ships attacked Convoy MW10, but the British escorts—four light cruisers and eighteen destroyers—prevented the Italians from attacking the merchant ships. According to some sources, "Trento" scored a hit on the destroyer in this action, inflicting heavy damage. Two Italian destroyers, and , foundered in heavy weather after the battle; "Trento" attempted to come to their aid, but they sank before she could reach them.