Keel laying marks birth of new ships for UK's Isles of Scilly

ISSG operates the principal shipping service from Penzance, in Cornwall, to the Isles of Scilly, located 45 km to the southwest. The company is building two new ships – Menawethan, a new freight vessel built to serve the Isles of Scilly, and a passenger ferry Scillonian IV. Menawethan will replace the existing Gry Maritha in 2026.

A ceremony held at Piriou shipyard on 6 November 2024 marked the moment as the ‘birth’ of Scillonian IV and Menawethan. Diplomatic dignitaries representing France and Britain were accompanied by senior management from both shipbuilder Piriou and ISSG. As part of the occasion, a coin was laid in the keel of the vessel in the age-old shipbuilding tradition.  

Chair of ISSG Ian Howard said, “It was an honour to attend this special moment in the build of our two new vessels. I would like to extend my thanks to the entire team here at Piriou, who are providing the skills and technical expertise to build these new ships for the Isles of Scilly.”

ISSG chief financial officer Judith Piper said, “Witnessing the work being carried out first-hand brings to life the level of skill and precision that goes into building a modern-day vessel. Our new vessels have been specifically designed to serve the route between Penzance and the Isles of Scilly. They will improve passenger experience and significantly increase capacity and reliability”.

Modern construction methods mean the ships are now built in blocks, rather than being built entirely from the keel upwards. The keel-laying ceremony is now recognised as the point at which the first of the vessel blocks are joined together. This ceremony follows the steel cutting ceremony for the new ships, which took place earlier in the year.