The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group (ISSG) technically accepted its new passenger-cargo ferry Scillonian IV on October 7 following inspections and sea trials at Piriou's shipyard in Vietnam.
ISSG said technical acceptance confirms, "that the vessel meets the requirements of the shipbuilding contract and specification." Delivery will follow as a separate stage.
The ferry is scheduled to depart Ho Chi Minh City on October 31. It will make a passage of approximately two months via the Cape of Good Hope to Piriou's yard in Concarneau, France.
The company expects the vessel to spend around three weeks at Concarneau for a final survey before delivery. ISSG technical personnel and crew will continue preparations and familiarisation there before the onward voyage to the UK.
ISSG plans to introduce Scillonian IV on the Penzance–Isles of Scilly route in March 2027. She will replace Scillonian III, which entered service in 1977. The 2027 sailing schedule is undergoing final approval before publication.
The 74.85-metre ferry has a beam of 12.80 metres, a draught of three metres and accommodation for up to 600 passengers and 20 crew.
She has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, measures 2,200 GT and is capable of 16 knots in a 2.5-metre sea state.
Scillonian IV began sea trials in July. She is the second of two newbuildings for ISSG from the same Vietnamese yard, following the freight vessel Menawethan. Menawethan reached Penzance in June after taking the same delivery route.
