Scillonian IV

In May we welcomed Luke Parnell as our new Technical Superintendent, playing a pivotal role in overseeing and managing the maintenance of our vessels.

Chief Executive Stuart Reid said:

“Luke’s familiarity with our current vessels and operations, as well as experience with new builds, will be a real asset for the future.”

Earlier this month, Luke visited Piriou’s shipyard in Vietnam to familiarise himself with Scillonian IV and Menawethan. He will return at the end of August for a two-week period, providing cover for Chris and Peter during their annual leave.

During this visit, Luke will oversee key stages of progress. On Scillonian IV, he expects to see the completion of welding installation and integrity testing of the starboard fin stabiliser, as well as the final inspection of Void 1 before it is sealed for the next five years. He will also check on the installation of the floating floor on Deck 2, which is on course to be completed during his time in the yard. The main gearbox preliminary alignment should also be finalised, with full alignment scheduled once the vessel is afloat.

On Menawethan, Luke will attend the final inspection of the propellers and tailshafts, while advanced systems testing continues. Both the compressed air system and the sewage vacuum system are due to be presented for inspection by Owners and Class. Inspections of the anchor chain locker and pallet lift are also planned. Externally, the final topcoat of hull paintwork should be completed during his stay.

A major milestone as megablock 05 is erected with the rest of Scillonian’s hull structure in the building dock, expertly lifted into place by the Goliath crane.

This impressive block is made up of four units spanning three floors of passenger areas – lower and upper aft passenger lounges with cafés, and a shade deck at the top with covered outdoor seating, which is set to be a stunning spot to relax on board!

A major milestone was reached last week as Megablock 3, weighing 75 tonnes, was successfully re-erected onto the hull of Scillonian IV.

Made up of six smaller units, this section had been removed to make way for the installation of key components including the main engines and gearboxes. While dockside, it also underwent blasting and internal painting before being lifted back into place.

This impressive block will form the forward passenger lounges across multiple decks, as well as the elevator shaft.

The build is progressing rapidly – more updates coming soon!

The steel and aluminium structure of Scillonian IV is now over 95% complete, with all the main hull units fabricated. The cargo hatches, bow bulwark, funnels and radar mast, are all currently under construction in the fabrication workshops.

While the main hull continues to take shape in the building dock, three large mega blocks – MB03, MB05, and the bow megablock are being constructed on the dockside. These blocks, made up of multiple units, have been moved to the dockside to undergo outfitting including piping, ventilation, cable trays, blasting and painting.

MB03 and MB05 will be integrated with the main hull after the installation of the major components of machinery into the engine room. This is made possible via a ‘soft patch’ – a removable section of deck above the machinery space that allows equipment to be craned into place and welded shut after installation.

So far, the following equipment has been successfully installed:

Main engines and gearboxes
Intermediate tailshafts
Venitlation fans and trunking
All three generator sets
Both Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) exhaust treatment units
Sewage treatment and vacuum toilet systems
Refrigeration units for cold storage
Air conditioning system
Domestic hot water tanks (calorifiers) and air receivers

Mounting and alignment of these systems is ongoing.

At the bow, mega block integration is progressing steadily. This block is also being outfitted on the dockside and will be blasted and painted before final integration – scheduled to happen after Menawethan is launched in the autumn, freeing space in the dock.

Substantial progress continues with the manufacture and installation of pipework, cable trays, structural penetrations, and ventilation ducts.

Windows and portholes

All windows and portholes have been fitted in the crew accommodation areas, and installation of the wheelhouse glazing is progressing rapidly.

Main engines and gearboxes

Over the last couple of weeks, both the port and starboard main engines and gearboxes have been installed.

Blasting and painting

Blasting and painting is now well underway across multiple sections of the vessel. Several units have already been blasted and are ready for coating, while others have completed the full coating and painting process.

Scillonian-IV-passenger-ferry-and-menawethan-freight-vessel-1200x800.jpg

Today (June 25^th 2025) marks exactly one year since building work officially began on the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group’s landmark project to bring two new vessels to the lifeline service.

The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group (ISSG), the primary provider of passenger and freight transport to the remote Isles of Scilly, is investing £40m in the passenger and freight vessels, Scillonian IV and Menawethan.

The first steels for the new ships were cut during a ceremony at Piriou’s shipyard in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam on 25th June 2024 – marking the launch of what has become a remarkable shipbuilding journey.

Twelve months later, all hull blocks for Scillonian IV and Menawethan are complete.

Equipment installation is ongoing, and includes intermediate tailshafts; ventilation fans and trunking; sewage treatment and vacuum toilet systems; refrigeration units, air conditioning, domestic hot water tanks and more.

Work is now starting on the interiors of the vessels. Windows have started to be fitted to wheelhouses to make interiors watertight and attention is now turning to the installation of operational piping and staircases.

In another major milestone, Scillonian IV’s gearboxes and engines have been lifted into place this week.

Stuart Reid, Chief Executive of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, said: “This week we hit another installation milestone with Scillonian IV’s gearboxes and engines being lifted into place through a temporary opening. The gearbox, built in Germany, will reduce shaft speed between the main engine and the controllable pitch propeller, and includes a clutch mechanism allowing the main engine to be disengaged in favour of electric drive – supporting hybrid propulsion and fuel efficiency and be more environmentally efficient.

“Following this, the V12 diesel main engine, manufactured in Belgium by ABC, was lifted into place – the first of two 350-horsepower engines powering the vessel, producing 2652kw of power at 1,000rpm.

“We are proud of the progress that’s been made in a year. Our team, shipbuilders and partners have worked tirelessly to keep the project on track and we are all looking forward to delivering these state-of-the-art ships to serve our passengers and freight customers.”

Scillonian IV and Menawethan are being built by Piriou, and are on schedule to be delivered in 2026 to meet the travel and freight requirements of the Isles of Scilly for generations to come.

The new vessels will feature a range of new technologies, helping to improve resilience, comfort and reliability.

Scillonian IV will carry up to 600 people (a 24% increase on current levels) whilst reducing journey times. It will feature roll and pitch reduction systems, to enhance passenger comfort, and is designed utilising modern propulsion technologies that improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact. The vessel is also designed to integrate further enhancements as technology develops.

Menawethan will also include a range of improvements on the current vessel, 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. The freight vessel will incorporate a passenger lounge with accommodation for 12 passengers.

Our New Vessels Project Manager Chris Lingham recently visited IPE’s factory in Vietnam, just a few hours from the main shipyard, to inspect the manufacture of electrical distribution cabinets and consoles for our new vessels.

The visit enabled Chris and representatives from PIRIOU shipyard, including the electrical quality control manager, to verify the quality of the equipment and conformance with specification, together with the opportunity to provide input with any minor modifications that may be required, prior to delivery to the shipyard.

The high quality of the electrical control cabinets and the main control console for Scillonian IV’s engine control room can be seen in the images.

IPE are also contracted to manufacture the consoles for the wheelhouses on both vessels, and we are proud to be working with expert teams like IPE, to support our build program.

Step on board Scillonian IV with our Project Manager, Chris Lingham, as he takes you on a guided walkthrough of the vessel as the build progresses.

From the crew accommodation to the passenger lounge and wheelhouse, Chris talks us through the latest progress and gives us a real sense of how the new ship is coming together.

It’s an exciting glimpse of what’s to come as we step closer to the future of sea travel to the Isles of Scilly.

Scillonian-4-Integrated-Platform-Management-System--01

Scillonian-4-Integrated-Platform-Management-System--02

Our new vessel project manager, Chris Lingham, travelled to Concarneau, France this week to oversee a key milestone in the Scillonian IV build – Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) at Actemium (BARILLEC S.A.S.)

The visit focused on testing key electrical systems, including:

Main and emergency switchboards – providing power management, control of power generation and distribution of electrical power.
Hybrid motor and shaft generator – providing the electric propulsion element for the ship and enabling electrical power generation from the running main engines.
Bow thrusters – providing transverse thrust of the bow, essential for safe manoeuvring of the vessel.
Integrated platform management system (IPMS) – Automation and control system for the vessels machinery and systems, including remote monitoring and alarms. This system provides the interface between a lot of the ship’s machinery and the operator.

Each component plays a critical role in delivering a modern, resilient and future-ready passenger vessel.

This visit marks another step forward as construction continues – on time and on course for 2026.

hydraulic-power-systems-FATs-May-2025-01

hydraulic-power-systems-FATs-May-2025-02

hydraulic-power-systems-FATs-May-2025-03

The essential auxiliary equipment hydraulic power systems, designed and built in Falmouth, Cornwall by Armada Engineering, underwent successful factory testing ahead of shipping to Vietnam and installation on board Scillonian IV and Menawethan.

These systems will power key machinery like the tunnel thrusters, windlass, cargo hold hatch, cargo crane, cargo pallet hoist and side door on Menawthan and the windlass and gangway davits on Scillonian. Our project manager, Chris Lingham, joined representatives from Lloyd’s Register, Piriou and ISSG to witness the Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) and confirm performance to specification.

Menawethan-Steering-Gear-Compartment-Painting-progress-220425

Menawethan-Installing-Port-Outer-Stern-Tube-220425

Menawethan-hull-draft-marks-welded-220425

Menawethan-aft-captains-cabin-area-passenger-lounge-starirs-to-accommodation-220425

Scillonian-4-units-82-10-18-erected-dockside-April-2025

Scillonian-4-unit-19-being-fabricated-April-2025

Scillonian-4-unit-11-being-fabricated-01-April-2025

Scillonian-4-technical-room-pipe-outfitting-April-2025

Scillonian-4-internal-staircase-to-crew-accommodation-April-2025

Scillonian-4-engine-room-block-integration-April-2025

Progress on Scillonian IV in April has been making great strides. Units 8.2, 10, and 18 have been successfully erected dockside, while the engine room has been rotated and lowered into the dock for integration. Fabrication work has commenced in the workshop on units 19 and 11. Additionally, outfitting activities are now underway in both the technical and the engine room.

Menawethan

Progress on Menawethan in April has included the installation of the port outer stern tube and sea grids. Preparation work continues in the Captain’s cabin for fitting bulkhead panels. The hull draft marks were accurately confirmed using a laser theodolite and have now been welded in place. Additionally, painting is currently underway in the steering gear compartment.

Newer Posts

Older Posts

Articles

Luke Parnell | Visit to Vietnam shipyard

Megablock 05 installed on Scillonian IV!

Scillonian IV – Megablock 3 integration

Scillonian IV – Build update June 2025

Windows and portholes

Main engines and gearboxes

Blasting and painting

One year since building work began on new passenger and freight vessels

IPE’s factory visit in Vietnam

Scillonian IV walkthrough

Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) at Actemium (BARILLEC S.A.S.)

Testing hydraulic power systems

New vessels – April 2025 updates

Scillonian IV

Menawethan