French boat builder Piriou has announced two major milestones in a fleet renewal programme which provides services between Penzance and the Isles of Scilly.
Following her construction at PIRIOU Vietnam, the Menawethan, a vessel dedicated to serving the Isles of Scilly community, completed a delivery voyage of several thousand nautical miles to her home port, fully demonstrating her excellent seakeeping qualities and robustness. A two-week stopover in Concarneau, Piriou's historic headquarters, saw the completion of finishing works, final inspections and crew familiarisation.
At 45 metres in length, Menawethan has been specifically designed to meet the logistical needs of the islands. Owned and operated by Isles of Scilly Steamship Group (ISSG), Menawethan
will transport freight, fuel and essential supplies that are vital to daily life across the archipelago. More modern, efficient and environmentally friendly than the vessel she replaces, Menawethan also features enhanced cargo-handling capabilities and refrigerated storage facilities, ensuring year-round continuity of supply.
Meanwhile, Scillonian IV, the programme's 75-metre passenger ferry, departed PIRIOU's shipyard in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on 14 July 2026 to begin her sea trials off Vung Tau in the South China Sea.
Conducted in cooperation with Lloyd's Register and with representatives of ISSG on board, these trials mark a key milestone ahead of the vessel's delivery and entry into service in 2027.
The sea trials will validate the vessel's performance, manoeuvrability and compliance with the highest safety and environmental standards. Once successfully completed, Scillonian IV will begin her delivery voyage to Brittany before continuing to the United Kingdom, where she will replace the Scillonian III, which has been in service for nearly 50 years.
Vincent Faujour, Chairman of the PIRIOU Group, said, "We are particularly proud to have delivered Menawethan to ISSG. This vessel is the result of close cooperation between our two companies, and I sincerely thank our client for placing their trust in us. Following her long delivery voyage from Vietnam to Cornwall, the vessel has fully demonstrated her excellent seakeeping qualities and her ability to fulfil the essential mission that awaits her in serving the Isles of Scilly.
“We know how eagerly she has been awaited by the island communities, and we are delighted to have contributed to such a vital project for their future. Beyond this first delivery, the programme illustrating PIRIOU's ability to support European shipowners on demanding fleet renewal projects. We are now fully focused on the next milestone: the completion of sea trials and the delivery of Scillonian IV this winter."
Exhibitor; Piriou 
