Scillonian IV begins delivery voyage from Vietnam to the UK

By Jason Nicholson2 November 2026, 03:00 · 2 min read

The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group’s new passenger ferry, Scillonian IV, has departed Vietnam on its delivery voyage to the United Kingdom, ahead of its planned entry into service in March 2027.

The 75-metre vessel left Ho Chi Minh City at 06:00 local time, beginning a journey expected to take approximately two months. It will travel via the Cape of Good Hope before reaching Europe, following the same route taken by the group’s freight vessel Menawethan earlier this year.

Designed to accommodate up to 600 passengers, Scillonian IV will replace Scillonian III on services connecting the Isles of Scilly with mainland Britain. The new ferry forms part of the operator’s wider fleet replacement programme, aimed at improving passenger and freight connections for the island communities.

The vessel is being operated on its delivery voyage by a specialist crew and will make several stops for bunkering along the route. Before arriving in Penzance, it is scheduled to call at Piriou’s shipyard in Brittany, France, for the final stages of the delivery process.

The ferry is expected to remain at the French shipyard for approximately three weeks, during which a final survey will be carried out. Technical personnel and crew members from the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group will also undertake vessel familiarisation and other preparations ahead of its introduction into service.

Ian Howard, Chairman of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, described the departure from Vietnam as an important milestone in the vessel’s development, recognising the work undertaken by the teams involved in its construction.

The new ferry is part of the company’s £40 million vessel replacement programme, one of the largest investments in its history. The programme is intended to strengthen transport links serving the Isles of Scilly and support the long-term provision of passenger and freight services.

Following the completion of its final inspections and delivery arrangements, Scillonian IV is expected to continue to Penzance, where preparations will progress towards its scheduled service introduction in March 2027.