THE Isles of Scilly Steamship Group’s new purpose-built freight vessel, Menawethan, has departed the shipyard in Vietnam and begun her delivery voyage to the UK. The journey from Ho Chi Minh to Penzance, via the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, is expected to take around 72 days, weather permitting.

The departure marks a significant milestone for the Steamship Group and represents the culmination of years of design, construction and collaboration to deliver a modern vessel purpose-built to serve the Isles of Scilly.

Menawethan is named after an uninhabited island in the Eastern Isles, known for its seal and seabird populations. She will replace Gry Maritha to deliver essential goods and supplies to the islands all year round.

The state-of-the-art vessel includes a range of improvements, including a much-enhanced cargo capacity, a greater capacity for perishable, chilled and frozen goods, and a dedicated lounge for 12 passengers, providing a year-round transport link by sea.

“Seeing Menawethan begin her journey home is a hugely proud moment for everyone involved in the project,” said Stuart Reid, chief executive of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group. “We look forward to welcoming her into Penzance in the coming weeks.”

Menawethan is crewed by a team of six from a specialist delivery company. The voyage will include stops in Port Louis, Mauritius; Walvis Bay, Namibia; Tenerife and Concarneau, France.

Menawethan is being constructed alongside Scillonian IV, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group’s new passenger vessel, which is scheduled to enter service in 2027. Together, the two new vessels represent a £40m investment in the future of the islands’ lifeline transport links, ensuring modern, resilient and fit-for-purpose freight and passenger services for the Isles of Scilly.

Further details on the vessel’s progress will be shared during the delivery voyage, with details on arrival in Penzance to be confirmed nearer the time.