Cargo ship launch is 'truly special milestone'

The official naming ceremony of a modern freight vessel connecting the Isles of Scilly with Penzance is a "special milestone" for communities off the South West peninsula, its operator said.

The "purpose-built" 45m (148ft) long Menawethan will replace its predecessor Gry Maritha, a cargo ship which sailed the route for nearly four decades, but which, in latter years, was hit by technical issues, failed deliveries and delays.

The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group (ISSG) said the vessel was designed to "improve reliability in all seasons".

Ian Howard, chairman of the group, said the ship represented "major investment" in the future of services, but "more than that, she belongs to the community".

Howard added: "Today was a truly special milestone for the Isles of Scilly and a moment we have been waiting for for many years.

"To celebrate this alongside so many special guests, and to have Menawethan named in such a fitting and traditional way, made today incredibly meaningful for us all."

The Menawethan has undergone sea trials in Vietnam before making the long trip to Cornwall.

Because of political instability in the region the Suez Canal, it had to travel around the Cape of Good Hope on the southern tip of Africa, adding several weeks to the journey time.

The naming, carried out by Lord Lieutenant Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho, was the culmination of years of "planning, design and construction", said the ISSG.

The Menawethan - named after an uninhabited island in the archipelago - would provide a "modern, efficient and dependable" freight service, ensuring the "continued flow of essential goods that underpin everyday life across the Isles of Scilly".

It said the vessel featured:

• Enhanced cargo capacity
• Boosted space for perishable, chilled and frozen goods
• A lounge for 12 passengers open year-round

The Menawethan was constructed at Piriou's shipyard in Ho Chi Minh City, alongside the Scillonian IV - the new passenger vessel replacing Scillonian III - which is due to enter service in 2027.

The vessels combined are the result of £40m investment, the group said.

On board for the celebration was Dale Clarke, St Mary's harbourmaster, while stakeholders and guests also attended.

Meanwhile the Gry Maritha, built in Norway in 1981, and the Scillonian III, which came into service in 1977, have been put up for sale.

The ISSG said the outgoing vessels had been "woven into the fabric of island life and hold a very special place in the hearts of many".

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