Menawethan sets sail on landmark delivery journey to Penzance

The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group’s new purpose-built freight vessel, Menawethan, has departed the shipyard in Vietnam and begun her delivery voyage to the UK this morning.

The journey to Penzance is expected to take around 72 days, weather permitting. The route will take Menawethan via the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, with four bunker stops en route.

The departure from Ho Chi Minh marks a significant milestone for the Steamship Group and represents the culmination of years of design, construction and collaboration to deliver a modern vessel purpose-built to serve the Isles of Scilly.

Stuart Reid, Chief Executive of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, said: “Seeing Menawethan begin her journey home is a hugely proud moment for everyone involved in the project.

“This voyage represents the final step in bringing a vessel that has been carefully designed to meet the long-term freight needs of the Isles of Scilly into service. We look forward to welcoming her into Penzance in the coming weeks.”

Menawethan is crewed by a team of six from a specialist delivery company. The voyage will include stops in Port Louis, Mauritius; Walvis Bay, Namibia; and Tenerife before a final call at Piriou’s shipyard in Concarneau, France, and continuing on to Penzance.

Menawethan will provide a modern, reliable and resilient freight service for the Isles of Scilly, replacing Gry Maritha to deliver essential goods and supplies to the islands year-round.

The state-of-the-art vessel includes a range of improvements, including a much-enhanced cargo capacity and an improved capacity for perishable, chilled and frozen goods, meaning that supplies can be transferred between the mainland and the islands more reliably all year round. It will have the ability to carry 12 passengers in a dedicated lounge, providing a year-round transport link.

Menawethan has been designed with improved operational efficiency and modern safety features, ensuring it is well suited to serve the unique requirements of the Isles of Scilly for decades to come.

It is being constructed alongside Scillonian IV, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group’s new passenger vessel, which is scheduled to enter service in 2027. Together, the two new vessels represent a £40m investment in the future of the islands’ lifeline transport links, ensuring modern, resilient and fit-for-purpose freight and passenger services for the Isles of Scilly.

Further details on the vessel’s progress will be shared during the delivery voyage, with details on arrival in Penzance to be confirmed nearer the time.