Menawethan successfully launched

Menawethan, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group’s new freight vessel, was successfully launched Friday evening (Vietnam time),a major milestone marking the start of the final phase of her build programme.

The 45-metre vessel, named after one of the Isles of Scilly’s uninhabited islands, will replace Gry Maritha in 2026, continuing the vital lifeline freight service between the islands and the mainland.

The float-out, during which Menawethan left the building dock for the first time, represents a key stage in the construction process. Her build officially began in June 2024 at Piriou’s shipyard in Vietnam.

The launch involved flooding the dock to float her off the keel blocks and carefully manoeuvring the vessel through the dock entrance into the Nha Be River, towing her to the outfitting berth. A controlled process taking around eight hours, carried out overnight to coincide with high tide and low traffic in the river.

Following her launch, Menawethan now moves into the commissioning phase. This includes extensive testing of all major systems, from generator sets, side door, and pallet hoist to main engines, propulsion, hydraulics, and electrical systems, all in accordance with the shipbuilding specification and Lloyd’s Register classification rules. The full commissioning and function testing programme will take approximately three months, ahead of sea trials planned for the end of January 2026.

Once these trials are complete, Menawethan will formally join the Steamship Group’s fleet, supporting the company’s commitment to providing resilient and reliable freight and passenger links for the Isles of Scilly.

Stuart Reid, Chief Executive of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, said:

“Seeing Menawethan launched is a proud moment for everyone involved. It’s a visible sign of the progress we’re making to deliver a stronger, more sustainable service for the Isles of Scilly.

“This vessel has been designed specifically with the unique needs of the islands in mind, and today’s milestone brings us another step closer to her entering service.”

The Steamship Group’s £40 million vessel replacement programme represents one of the most significant investments in the company’s history. It reaffirms the Group’s long-term commitment to supporting island communities through enhanced passenger and freight services.

Menawethan will bring a step-change in freight provision, with greater capacity, improved facilities for chilled and frozen goods, and a lounge for up to 12 passengers, providing a year-round passenger and freight sea link.

Menawethan is being built alongside the new Scillonian IV passenger ferry, to the Steamship Group’s detailed design and specifications, by Piriou’s specialist teams of engineers and fabricators.