French Yard Favoured For UK Ferries

The parties are working towards the signing of firm contracts during October 2023, with a view to commissioning the vessels on the year-round link between the island archipelago and Penzance ahead of the 2026 summer season.

The envisaged 72m newbuild Scillonian IV would have capacity for 600 passengers, 115 more than the present, 46 year-old Scillonian III, and the prospective, 45m cargo ship would be larger than the current, 1981-built Gry Maritha.

The announcement comes hard on the heels of the rival bid launched by shipbuilder Harland & Wolff Group to operate the Isles of Scilly services using new tonnage built at its own facilities in the UK.

Isles of Scilly Steamship’s intention to cement the deal with Piriou follows months of thorough evaluation, technical questioning and site visits to the latter’s yards in France and Vietnam, as part of the Group’s due diligence processes. Headquartered in the Scilly Travel Centre Penzance, the company has secured private financing towards the scheme.

For its part, Piriou’s naval architects and senior management team have conducted multiple visits to Penzance and the Isles of Scilly, to gain a full understanding of the particular challenges of the 28-mile route and infrastructure on Britain’s south-western extremities.

The UK Government in 2021 had conditionally allocated a pool of £48.5m ($61m) under its levelling-up policy to improve the islands’ sea links, but no money has been forthcoming. The fact that the fleet replacement initiative is now going ahead on a purely commercial basis, rather than through public funding, removes any possible obligation to undertake the newbuild programme in the UK.

The company is presently the sole operator on the route, which represents both a vital lifeline for the islanders and a means of sustaining the seasonal tourism business. In reference to the recent Harland & Wolff pitch, local sources question whether traffic volumes could viably support more than one line.

It is anticipated that construction of both vessels will commence in Piriou’s Vietnam yard during the spring of next year. The newbuilds will subsequently be transferred to the Concarneau yard in Brittany for final outfitting, testing and commissioning ready for delivery in 2026.

The new, faster passenger ferry will be designed to provide passengers with greater comfort through improved stabilisation, accessibility and an overall, enhanced travel experience, drawing on feedback received during the operator’s consultation with visitors and residents on Scilly.

The planned freight carrier will also have increased capacity, and will incorporate provision for up to 12 passengers per sailing during the winter months. “Both vessels will use the latest propulsion technology with improved environmental credentials along with the capability to be upgraded as green technologies mature,” stated the company.

The programme will be overseen by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group’s two on-site project managers, ensuring constant representation at the production yard in keeping with strict budgetary and delivery goals.