New Vessels | News & Media
New vessels project end of year newsletter | December 2024
As 2024 comes to a close, we look back at some of the highlights of the year for our New Vessel Replacement Project.
It’s been a historic year, with lots to celebrate, as building work on Scillonian IV and Menawethan finally got underway.
Please see the link below for our latest newsletter and new podcast episode as well as all past newsletters, updates, videos and media.
You can view our latest newsletter here.
New Vessels Update Series | Podcast Episode 4 – Keel Laying Ceremony
In our latest podcast, we’re taking you behind the scenes of the keel laying ceremony for our new passenger and freight vessels – a major milestone in the shipbuilding process.
Judith Piper, who attended the event, shares her reflections on the significance of this traditional ceremony and what it represents for the future of the group.
You’ll also hear from Chris and Peter, the project and site managers overseeing the build.
The keel laying ceremony marks an exciting step forward in the project, listen now to learn more about this significant event.
Keel Laying Ceremony video | November 2024
Earlier this month, we celebrated a historic milestone – the keel laying ceremony for Scillonian IV and our new cargo vessel, Menawethan. The ceremony was captured on film to document this important moment in our history, and we are pleased to be able to share this memorable occasion with you.
New vessels project update newsletter | November 2024
Following our Keel Laying Ceremony last week, we are pleased to share our latest new vessels newsletter.
In this issue, we cover the milestone event, attended by ISSG’s Judith Piper and Ian Howard, as well as build updates and progress since our last newsletter in September.
You can view our latest newsletter here.
Keel Laying Ceremony | Wednesday 6th November 2024
A ceremony attended by dignitaries has marked the official ‘birth date’ for our two new vessels. This significant milestone in the build process has been recognised for centuries as the official ‘birth’ of any new ship and is an important point in time for the Scillonian IV passenger ferry and the cargo vessel, Menawethan.
Our new freight vessel will be called... - Wednesday 9th October 2024
We’re excited to announce the winning name for our new freight vessel.
Please click the link below to read our press release to find out.
New Vessel Update Series | Podcast Episode 3 – Accessibility
In our third podcast, Marine Superintendent Tom Weise talks about accessibility in relation to our two new vessels which are currently being built.
Please see the podcast below.
New vessels project update newsletter | September 2024
We’re excited to bring you the latest edition of our New Vessels newsletter!
Since our last update in August, significant strides have been made in the construction of both vessels.
In this issue, we’ll walk you through key stages of the construction process, including how each vessel has been divided into units and the progress being made on each one.
You can view our latest newsletter here.
New vessels project update newsletter | August 2024
We are pleased to share our latest new vessels newsletter with lots of exciting updates and project developments.
Please see the link below to discover more about the construction process as well as other company news bites.
You can view our latest newsletter here.
New Vessel Update Series | Podcast - Episode 2 and ceremony video
It’s now been 3 weeks since the first steel was cut for our two new vessels, marking the start of the build project.
Here, in the second in our series of podcasts, our CEO Stuart Reid talks about the ceremony he attended in Vietnam marking an important milestone for the Group and the hard work that has led to this point.
Please see the below for the podcast and a short film showing the steel cutting ceremony hosted by Piriou.
New Vessel Update Series | Podcast - Episode 1
Last week we reached a key milestone in our new vessels project, with our steel cutting ceremony in Vietnam – officially marking the start of the build of our two new vessels.
We caught up with project manager Chris Lingham and site manager Peter Broad before they made the move to Vietnam, where they will be residing for the duration of the 2-year build project.
PLEASE NOTE: 3D movies of the vessels presented in this podcast document are the exclusive property of PIRIOU. They cannot be used without prior consent of PIRIOU.
Steel cutting ceremony - Wednesday 25th June 2024
Building work is now officially underway on our new passenger and freight vessels, with the first steel for the new ships being cut during a special ceremony at Piriou’s shipyard in Vietnam.
Please click the link below to read our press release on the steel cutting ceremony.
New project update newsletter | June 2024
We are pleased to share our latest new vessels newsletter with lots of exciting updates and project developments.
Please see the link below to read about the new vessel project team’s recent visits to France, an upcoming visit and ceremony in Vietnam, view the latest design developments for Scillonian IV and more.
You can view our latest newsletter here.
New project update newsletter | March 2024
Please see the link below for our latest new vessel replacement project newsletter, including information on how the project team has been working to develop vessel designs with shipyard, Piriou, since the signing of contracts and how we intent to keep you updated along the way.
You can view our latest newsletter here.
New Vessel Update | Landmark contracts signed
We’re excited to announce we’ve signed contracts with shipbuilder Piriou this week, securing the long-term future of passenger travel and freight supplies to and from the Isles of Scilly.
Please click the link below for our full update regarding the signing of contracts.
View the full news update here.
New project update newsletter | December 2023
Please see the link below for our latest new vessel replacement project newsletter, including a Q&A as a follow up of the community engagement events and the questions raised.
You can view our latest newsletter here.
Community Engagement Events | November 2023
Please click the link below for our latest new vessel replacement project newsletter, including a follow up from our community engagement event and latest project updates.
You can view our latest newsletter here.
New Vessel Community Engagement Events
Thank you to all who have dropped in to see us on St Martin’s, Bryher and St Agnes during our series of community events this month.
This is a reminder that the last in this series of events will be hosted on Tresco, Wednesday 29th November between 11:00 – 14:00.
This will be followed by an additional evening event that we have organised for 19:00 at Tregarthen’s Hotel on the same day.
We invite all members of the community to attend. Off-islanders can contact Jeanette Ware who will be arranging inter-island boating transfers.
jware@issg.co.uk
01720 424231
Consultation Events - November
We are planning a series of further new vessel replacement community engagement events on the off-islands throughout November.
We invite and encourage members of the community to attend if possible.
The events will be hosted by members of the Steamship Group and new vessel project team.
Event details below.
Bryher | Wednesday 8th November – 11:00-14:00 – Community centre
St Martin’s | Wednesday 15th November – 11:00-14:00 – Community Hall
St Agnes | Wednesday 22nd November – 11:00-14:00 – Community Hall
Tresco | Wednesday 29th November – 11:00-14:00 – Community Hall
Please click the link below for our latest new vessel replacement project newsletter, including a follow up from our community engagement event and latest project updates.
You can view our latest newsletter here.
New Vessel Replacement Project | Event Brochure
Please see the link below for a digital copy of our vessel replacement brochure, which gives the most up-to-date details on the project so far.
View our event brochure here.
Project Update | October 2023
In September, we named Piriou as our preferred shipyard to build and deliver two new vessels for the Group, marking another important milestone for the project.
This is the second in a series of regular community newsletter updates that we will share with you.
We very much welcome any feedback and questions that we can address in future editions or at our upcoming consultation event on the 11th October, on St Mary’s.
Click the link below for our latest update and summary of some of the main areas of work as we progress with the vessel replacement project.
You can view our latest newsletter here.
Community Update Event | 11th October 2023
11th October 2023 | 13:00 – 15:00 | On the Quay, Isles of Scilly
Join us at our New Vessel Replacement Community Update Event, where our aim is to update you on:
Vessel Designs & General Arrangements | Fares & Financing | Timescales
Further community engagement events will run throughout the life of this project and we will be hosting a number of events on the islands and the mainland.
Our next events will be taking place on the off-islands in November 2023.
13 September 2023 - Shipyard announced
Isles of Scilly Steamship Group names Piriou as the shipbuilder of choice for construction of its new passenger ferry Scillonian IV and cargo vessel.
The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group has named Piriou as its preferred shipbuilder to build and deliver two new vessels for the Group.
In April, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group announced a private financing solution for the replacement of the vessels and the intent to select a preferred shipyard. This announcement continues the next stage of the Group’s plan.
Piriou is a long-established ship builder with over 50 years’ experience building more than 600 vessels. It has over 1,400 highly-skilled employees, including an in-house design team and production facilities in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Piriou has a strong balance sheet with an annual turnover of over €300m.
Appointing Piriou comes after months of thorough evaluation, technical questioning and site visits to France and Vietnam, as part of the Group’s due diligence processes.
The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group and Piriou will commence detailed design work with the intention of signing contracts in October 2023 for the new Scillonian IV passenger ship and a new cargo vessel to replace the current Gry Maritha.
Construction of both vessels will commence in Piriou’s Vietnam yard in spring 2024. The vessels will then be transferred to Piriou’s yard in France for commissioning and testing, ready for delivery ahead of the 2026 season.
Working with a team of experts, the project will be managed by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group’s two on-site project managers to make sure that there is constant representation at the shipyard and to ensure that the build programme remains on budget and on time for delivery.
The new faster passenger ferry will be designed to provide passengers with greater comfort through improved stabilisation, accessibility and an overall enhanced experience, in line with feedback received during the Group’s consultation with visitors and residents on Scilly. The new cargo vessel will have increased freight capacity and provide comfortable transport for up to 12 passengers per sailing during the winter. Both vessels will use the latest propulsion technology with improved environmental credentials along with the capability to be upgraded as green technologies mature.
Stuart Reid, CEO, of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group said::
“This is a big step forward and an important milestone for our vessel replacement programme, which will deliver new and improved vessels for the Isles of Scilly. The selection process started with over 30 shipyards which have been evaluated by our experienced project team. The project team, consisting of a mix of technical expertise, shipbuilding experience and the four masters of our current vessels, worked through a series of bids delivered by the shipyards. Visits took place to shortlisted shipyards to complete our extensive due diligence. The project team was unanimous in its decision to appoint Piriou as its preferred shipyard on the basis of experience, technical expertise in delivering specialist ferries and competitiveness.”
Ian Howard, Chairman of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group said:
“Piriou has an excellent reputation for building both passenger ferries and cargo vessels. Its naval architects and senior management team have conducted multiple visits to Penzance and the Isles of Scilly and have a full understanding of the challenges of the route and infrastructure to support the new vessels. We are very excited to be working with Piriou and building vessels which will deliver significant service enhancements.”
Vincent Faujour, President of Piriou shipyard said:
“We are delighted and honoured to be named as the preferred shipyard by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group for construction of its new passenger ferry Scillonian IV and new cargo vessel. As we have been building and maintaining lifeline ferries for decades, we know how important this project is for the communities depending on the sea link services to the Isles of Scilly. Working closely with the Group’s project team, our teams in Brittany and Vietnam are already fully dedicated to deliver to the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group the most suitable vessels, designed for rough seas, with increased comfort and a reduced environmental footprint. Finally, as Concarneau and Penzance have been twin towns since 1982, I must say it is a real pleasure to participate in a project that will strengthen the links between Cornwall and the Breton “Cornouaille”.”
07 July 2023 - New vessels project newsletter
On 18th April this year we announced we had secured private funding to replace the Scillonian III, Gry Maritha and Lyonesse Lady by March 2026.
Since then much has happened as we progress the specification of the new vessels and the appointment of a shipyard (or shipyards) to build them.
This is the first in a series of regular newsletter updates that we will share with the community and we very much welcome any feedback and questions that we can address in future editions.
Click the link below for our latest update and summary of some of the main areas of work as we progress the vessel replacement project.
18 April 2023 - Latest update - Private financing solution
The Isles of Scilly is to get new passenger and freight vessels following the announcement today of a major privately funded ship building programme by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group.
The new Scillonian passenger ferry and two new freight vessels will set sail by March 2026. The £42m project will be the single biggest investment in the 103-year history of the Company.
Project timeline and updates
April 2023
Isles of Scilly Steamship Group announces private funding solution for delivery of three new vessels.
March 2023
Government informs Council of the Isles of Scilly that the Department for Transport intends to take the lead on the Isles of Scilly Sea Links project.
March 2023
Government rejects revised proposal.
January 2023
Project partners meet with Government to discuss revised proposal.
December 2022
Project partners put forward revised proposal for 49% of the Levelling Up Funding in an attempt to accelerate the project.
August 2022
Government rejects full business case.
June 2022
Council of the Isles of Scilly submits full business case for Levelling Up Funding to UK Government.
January 2022
Project partners meet with Government to discuss the urgent need to commence the build of three new vessels.
December 2021
Feedback results from new vessel exhibition.
October 2021
UK Government confirms conditional £48m Levelling Up Fund offer to Council of the Isles of Scilly for new vessels and harbour improvements as part of Autumn Budget announcement.
October 2021
Steamship Group stages public exhibition about new vessels with feedback sought.
June 2021
Steamship Group publishes first designs for replacement vessels.
June 2021
Council of the Isles of Scilly submits Levelling Up Fund outline business case to Government for replacement vessels and other improvements based on work by the Isles of Scilly Transport Board.
April 2021
Council approaches Steamship Group and partners to submit Levelling up Fund application which is supported by the Isles of Scilly Transport Board.
July 2020
Steamship Group carries out consultation with Isles of Scilly residents about preferred options for new vessels.
January 2020
Naval architects BMT appointed by Steamship Group to advise on new vessel designs.
November 2019
Isles of Scilly Steamship Group establishes Marine Asset Replacement Committee to guide vessel replacement project.
Media Contact
Public Relations
For all press interviews and media enquiries please contact:
Sharon Sandercock | ssandercock@islesofscilly-travel.co.uk