Scillonian IV takes to the water for the first time in major build milestone
The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group is celebrating a major milestone in the construction of Scillonian IV as the state-of-the-art passenger ferry was officially launched on Saturday 28th March 2026.
The 75m vessel, which has the capacity to carry 600 passengers, will replace Scillonian III in March 2027, heralding the start of a new era of travel to the Isles of Scilly.
The float-out marks the first time that Scillonian IV touched the water – a defining moment in the build programme, which officially began in June 2024 at Piriou’s shipyard in Vietnam, and a significant step towards the vessel entering service.
Stuart Reid, Chief Executive of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, travelled to Ho Chi Minh City alongside island director Sam Hicks to witness the launch. He said: “The launch of Scillonian IV is a hugely exciting and proud moment for everyone involved in the project. Seeing the vessel float for the first time brings years of hard work and expertise to life.
“This is a pivotal and highly symbolic step towards delivering a ferry that will strengthen connectivity and provide a resilient, reliable service for the Isles of Scilly for the next generation of passengers.”
The Steamship Group’s £40m vessel replacement programme represents one of the most significant investments in the company’s history, reaffirming its commitment to supporting island communities through improved passenger and freight services.
Launching is a critical phase in any shipbuilding project, transforming Scillonian IV from a construction project into a working vessel and enabling the final stage of her build to begin.
The launch process involved flooding the dock and carefully floating the ship out of the gates so she could be towed to the outfitting berth, a process that began in the early hours of the morning to coincide with the high tide.
Scillonian IV will now undergo outfitting and sea trials before beginning the delivery journey back to the UK.
