Scillonian 4 (Scillonian IV): Latest News, Launch Date and What’s On Board
Scillonian IV has passed technical acceptance and leaves Vietnam on 31 October 2026. Here is the latest Scillonian 4 news, when she enters service, how she compares with Scillonian III and what’s on board.
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Scillonian IV is the new passenger ferry that will carry visitors and islanders between Penzance and St Mary's from March 2027. Many people search for her as Scillonian 4, and both names mean the same ship. She replaces Scillonian III, which has worked the crossing since 1977 and is now close to retirement.
The new ship is finished, tested and accepted. She leaves Vietnam at the end of October 2026 for a long voyage home. This guide covers the latest Scillonian 4 news, the launch and service dates, what is on board and what the change means if you are planning a trip.
Please note: The image in this article is an artist’s impression of Scillonian IV, created with AI. It is not an official image of the vessel.
Key Takeaways
- Scillonian IV (often searched as Scillonian 4) replaces Scillonian III on the Penzance to St Mary's route in March 2027.
- The Steamship Group technically accepted the ship on 7 October 2026 after sea trials in Vietnam.
- She is due to leave Ho Chi Minh City on 31 October 2026 and reach Penzance in mid January 2027.
- She carries up to 600 passengers, 115 more than Scillonian III, with fin stabilisers and a hull vane for a smoother crossing.
- The 2027 sailing schedule is awaiting final approval, and some early departure times will differ from the usual 9.15am and 4.30pm.
What is Scillonian IV?
Scillonian IV is a 75 metre passenger ferry built for the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group. According to the Group's official specification, she is 74.85 metres long and 12.80 metres wide. She weighs 2,200 gross tonnes, carries 600 passengers and has cabins for up to 20 crew.
She is part of a £40 million programme to replace the islands' ageing ships. The new freight ship Menawethan came first and entered service on 13 July 2026. Scillonian IV is the second and larger half of that investment, and the one most visitors will notice.
Scillonian 4 or Scillonian IV?
The official name uses Roman numerals, so it is Scillonian IV. In everyday speech and in online searches, most people say Scillonian 4. Both refer to the same ship. The Steamship Group uses IV in its press releases, while many islanders and regular visitors will simply carry on calling her "the Scillonian".
Scillonian IV latest news
Technical acceptance on 7 October 2026
The biggest recent milestone came on 7 October 2026. In its 12 October update, the Steamship Group said it had formally accepted the ship after inspections and sea trials. Acceptance confirms she meets the shipbuilding contract and the agreed specification. Any small outstanding items are recorded for the yard to finish.
Before that, inspectors from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency made their final visit to the yard in late September. The agency has been involved since the early design stage, approving drawings and checking the build as it went, as the Group's September 2026 update explains.
The voyage home
Scillonian IV is due to leave Ho Chi Minh City on 31 October 2026. She will sail under her own power for about 60 days, around the Cape of Good Hope, to Piriou's yard in Concarneau in Brittany. Menawethan took the same route earlier this year, so the team know what to expect.
RecommendedHistoryIsles of Scilly Ghost Stories: Legends, History and Where to Find Them12 min read · All islandsRead the story →Why the long way round? The original plan was to use the Suez Canal. Official advice about instability in the Middle East changed that, adding roughly 40 days to the trip, according to the Group's October 2025 newsletter. The longer route was one reason service moved from 2026 to 2027.
She is expected in France around New Year's Day.
She will spend about three weeks in Concarneau for a final survey. Crew will train on board, and the team will demonstrate the Marine Evacuation System to the MCA. This is an inflatable chute that moves passengers straight from the ship into a life raft. She should then reach Penzance in mid January 2027.
When will Scillonian IV enter service?
Scillonian IV is due to start carrying passengers in March 2027. The first target was 2026. In August 2025, Business Cornwall reported the delay, citing global supply issues and the longer delivery route. The date has held since, and every update from the Group still points to March 2027.
After she reaches Penzance, final delivery paperwork and surveys will be completed. She will then sail to St Mary's for harbour trials and crew familiarisation. Only after all of that will she take paying passengers. So expect to spot her around Penzance and St Mary's harbours a few weeks before she starts work.
The 2027 timetable
Planning a spring 2027 trip? The 2027 sailing schedule is ready but still going through final approval, the Group said on 12 October. It will be published once approved, with bookings opening soon after. Keep an eye on the Isles of Scilly Travel website for the release.
One change is worth knowing now. During her first months, the crew will work with extra safety margins, including more water under the keel than Scillonian III needs. That means some departures will not follow the familiar 9.15am and 4.30pm pattern. The Group expects times to settle as the crew gain experience.
Where was Scillonian IV built?
Scillonian IV was built by Piriou, a French shipbuilding group from Concarneau, at its yard in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Naval architects BMT drew the early concept designs after consulting islanders. According to Marine Industry News, resilience, reliability, journey time and affordability came out as the top priorities.
Scillonian IV build timeline
- April 2023: The Steamship Group announces private funding for new ships, reported by ITV News
- 2023: Piriou is named preferred shipyard, according to Marine Log
- January 2024: Build contracts signed with Piriou
- June 2024: Construction starts in Vietnam
- 6 November 2024: Keel laid
- August 2025: Service date moves to March 2027
- 28 March 2026: Launched and floats for the first time
- July 2026: First sea trials off Vung Tau, reported by Shippax
- 27 to 28 August 2026: Further trials after propeller changes
- 7 October 2026: Technically accepted by the Steamship Group
- 31 October 2026: Due to leave Vietnam
- Mid January 2027: Due in Penzance
- March 2027: Enters service
RecommendedFood & drinkIsles of Scilly Food and Drink: Where to Eat, Drink and Shop Local5 min read · All islandsRead the guide →Scillonian IV vs Scillonian III
Here is how the two ships compare on paper. Scillonian III figures come from Wikipedia and the Steamship Group. Scillonian IV figures come from the Group's own specification.
| Scillonian III | Scillonian IV | |
|---|---|---|
| In service | 1977 to 2027 | From March 2027 |
| Length | 68m | 74.85m |
| Passengers | 485 | 600 |
| Built in | UK | Vietnam (Piriou) |
| Crossing time | Just over 2.5 hours | Shorter; to be confirmed |
| Comfort | Classic hull | Fin stabilisers and hull vane |
| Emissions | Older engines | IMO Tier III |
The extra 115 seats should ease pressure on the busiest summer sailings. That is roughly a 24 per cent rise in capacity, according to Baird Maritime.
What is it like on board?
Inspections of the lounges and internal areas finished in September 2026, and the Group described the overall impression as very positive. Photos taken by second engineer Jono Jackman over the summer show the computer designs becoming real. Passenger spaces have been planned for more comfort, better access and wider sea views.
A smoother crossing
This is the big one for anyone who dreads the famous Scillonian roll. Scillonian IV has fin stabilisers, a hull vane and a new hull shape, all designed to reduce rolling and pitching. After sea trials, Jono Jackman said he expected the stabilisers and hybrid propulsion to give passengers a smoother, more comfortable journey.
Café, lounges and outside decks
Passengers spread across three decks. There are indoor and outdoor lounges and a café, which the Group says keeps the welcoming feel of the current one while adding comfort. Early plans from BMT also included a retail area. The final interior photos should appear in the Group's updates before the first sailings.
Accessibility
Access for passengers with reduced mobility has been improved, according to the official specification. Interior plans published by the Group show a lift lobby and a reception area. Full accessibility details have not been released yet, so contact Isles of Scilly Travel before booking if you have specific needs.
Greener and more reliable
Scillonian IV meets IMO Tier III emission limits. She has heat recovery, shaft generators, an energy storage system and the option to use alternative fuels later. Spare capacity in her propulsion machinery should make breakdowns less disruptive. An AI system called Cetasol will also track fuel use and suggest ways to save it.
Will Scillonian IV be faster?
Yes, but the exact crossing time is not confirmed. Early BMT designs aimed to cut the journey by about 20 per cent. The final specification lists 16 knots in a 2.5 metre sea, which measures speed in real Atlantic conditions rather than a flat calm. Today's crossing takes just over two and a half hours.
The 2027 schedule will show the real timings. Until then, treat any quoted journey time with caution.
RecommendedIsland lifeNew Homes and a New Hospital: How St Mary’s Is Changing7 min read · St Mary'sRead the story →The vibration trials explained
You may have heard talk of vibration. During the first sea trials, some vibration was found near the stern at speeds above 18 knots. That is faster than her expected normal service speed. Piriou adjusted the propeller set up and ran more trials on 27 and 28 August 2026.
The Group hired Houlder, an independent marine engineering consultancy, to take its own measurements. The results were still under review in September. The Group said nothing found so far suggested a delay to her departure or her arrival in the UK. Technical acceptance followed in early October.
Farewell to Scillonian III
Scillonian III has crossed to Scilly since 1977, and 2026 is her final full season. Before her came a second Scillonian from 1956, and the first, which made her first timetabled trip in February 1926. That makes 2026 the centenary of Scillonian ferries, as Isles of Scilly Travel points out.
Every new Scillonian has been met with doubt. Critics said both the 1956 ship and Scillonian III were too big and not as good at sea as the old boat, according to Wikipedia. Both went on to serve for decades. Scillonian IV will face the same test from islanders and regulars.
What happens to Scillonian III? The Group's Q&A page says she will be retired once the new ship is in service. No sale had been agreed when it was written.
Changes at the top
Chief executive Stuart Reid, who led the new vessels programme, is moving on. The Group announced on 3 September 2026 that his last day will be 16 February 2027, weeks before Scillonian IV starts work. If no successor is in place by then, finance chief Judith Piper will act as interim chief executive.
Scillonian IV FAQs
When does Scillonian IV start sailing?
Scillonian IV is due to enter service in March 2027, replacing Scillonian III on the route between Penzance and St Mary's.
Where is Scillonian IV now?
In mid October 2026 she is at Piriou's shipyard in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. She is due to leave on 31 October and reach Penzance in mid January 2027.
How many passengers does Scillonian IV carry?
Up to 600 passengers, which is 115 more than Scillonian III.
How long will the Scillonian IV crossing take?
The exact time has not been confirmed. She is designed to be quicker than the current crossing of just over two and a half hours. The 2027 schedule will give the real timings.
Can I book Scillonian IV yet?
Not yet. The 2027 sailing schedule is going through final approval. Bookings open once it is published on the Isles of Scilly Travel website.
Will fares go up?
The Group has said some price rises are likely, but it aims to keep them as low as possible. Islander discounts through the Travel Club will stay.
Is Scillonian 4 the same as Scillonian IV?
Yes. Scillonian IV is the official name, written in Roman numerals. Scillonian 4 is simply how most people write and search for it.
We will keep this page updated as Scillonian IV makes her way home. Already on the islands? Check the Scilly Live board for today's boat times.
