The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group has reached a significant milestone in its ship replacement programme as the new passenger ferry Scillonian IV enters sea trials off the coast of Vietnam. Built at the Piriou shipyard in Ho Chi Minh City, the vessel is undergoing operational testing ahead of final fit-out, certification and a delivery voyage to the UK.
What is happening now
Scillonian IV left the shipyard and transited down the Nhà Bè river to the South China Sea for a week of sea trials off Vung Tau. The trials are intended to assess the vessel’s speed, operational performance and key onboard machinery, with particular attention to safety-critical systems such as anchor deployment and the launching of safety boats. Members of the Isles of Scilly team will be on site to witness the process.
- Where: Piriou shipyard, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; sea trials off Vung Tau
- Who from Isles of Scilly: Scillonian Master Joe Whetton, Technical Superintendent Luke Parnell and Engineer Jonathan Jackman
- What will be tested: speed and operational trials, anchor and safety-boat deployment, and other essential machinery
Why it matters locally
The Steamship Group operates the principal shipping link between Penzance in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, a route that is vital to island life for passengers, visitors and freight. Scillonian IV forms part of a two-vessel building programme that also delivered Menawethan, a new freight vessel which has already entered service and replaced the long-serving Gry Maritha. The introduction of Scillonian IV is expected to modernise the passenger link and improve reliability for travellers to and from the islands.
Schedule and next steps
Following successful sea trials, Scillonian IV will return to the yard for final fit-out and to undergo certification with the relevant classification society. The familiarisation process for crew and technical staff will begin in parallel, preparing the vessel and her teams for service.
| Stage | Status |
|---|---|
| Construction at Piriou shipyard | Completed (two-vessel programme) |
| Sea trials | Underway off Vung Tau |
| Final fit-out and certification | Pending successful trials |
| Delivery to UK and entry into service | Expected in 2027 |
“The commencement of sea trials represents an important step towards bringing Scillonian IV into service next year. Sea trials are a vital stage in the shipbuilding process, providing the opportunity to thoroughly test the vessel in real operating conditions before she moves closer to completion. We’re delighted to see the project reaching this crucial phase,”
The Steamship Group’s statement underlines the importance of trials as a practical verification of seaworthiness and operational capability before the vessel embarks on the delivery voyage to the UK. Crew familiarisation will follow, allowing island-based personnel to become acquainted with the ship’s systems ahead of passenger operations.
For island residents and businesses, the arrival of Scillonian IV represents progress in renewing the transport link to the mainland. While Menawethan has already modernised the freight service, completion of the passenger vessel will complete the pair and is intended to ensure continuity and resilience for the route that connects the Isles of Scilly with Cornwall.
Further local updates will follow as the trials conclude and a delivery date is confirmed.
