Island Carriers Manager Emma Squire visits our new vessels in Vietnam

Over recent months, momentum at the shipyard in Vietnam has been unmistakable. Vessels that, for a long time, existed only as CGI visuals and steel sections are now unmistakably taking their final form, looking and feeling like the ships that will soon serve the Isles of Scilly. As progress accelerates, a number of Isles of Scilly Steamship Group colleagues have travelled to Vietnam to see that transformation first-hand, many encountering the vessels in person for the very first time.

These visits have been an important part of the project’s journey. Marine Superintendent Tom Weise and Scillonian III Master Dave Redgrave travelled to review build progress and support planning for the vessels’ future introduction into service, while Gry Maritha Master Tom Sexton and Technical Superintendent Luke Parnell joined the team on site for Menawethan’s sea trials, working closely with Piriou and Lloyd’s Register.

In January, the shipyard welcomed a particularly meaningful visit. Island Carriers Manager Emma Squire, accompanied by her husband James, was already travelling in Vietnam on holiday and took the opportunity to visit Piriou to see both Scillonian IV and Menawethan as they enter the final stages of construction. For Emma, the visit was both professional and deeply personal, reflecting her role within the Group and her strong ties to the islands themselves.

Guided by project managers Chris Lingham and Peter Broad, Emma and James toured both vessels, from cargo handling systems and machinery spaces to crew and passenger accommodation and the wheelhouses, alongside a look at the wider shipyard operation. The visit offered valuable insight into how the new vessels will support day-to-day island life and logistics once they enter service, and what this next generation of lifeline ships will mean for the people who rely on them.

Below, Emma shares her reflections on the visit, what stood out most, and why these vessels feel especially important to her, both as an islander and as part of the team who will work closely with them in the years ahead.

My name is Emma Squire and I’m the Island Carriers Manager on the Isles of Scilly. Earlier this year I had the opportunity to visit the shipyard in Ho Chi Minh City while I was already in Vietnam. Being in the region, it felt like a rare chance to see both Scillonian IV and Menawethan in person while they are still at this stage of the build, and I was keen to make the most of that opportunity.

Although I was travelling privately, the visit was very much connected to my role. These vessels will be central to our day-to-day operations on the islands, so being able to see them first-hand before they arrive in Scilly felt both professionally important and personally meaningful.

Why I wanted to go

Even while on holiday, it felt important to see the ships at this point in their construction. As Island Carriers Manager, so much of what my team does each day connects directly to what happens on board these vessels – from freight arriving and being handled, to the way cargo is loaded, moved and distributed once it reaches the islands as well as dealing with passengers and their luggage.

Seeing the ships in the yard helped bring that connection into focus. It was a reminder of how closely our work on the quayside ties in with the design and operation of the ships themselves. It’s not just about transport; it’s about the whole chain that keeps island life moving.

First impressions

Arriving at the shipyard was a real moment. Seeing the scale of the vessels up close for the first time was impressive, but also quite emotional knowing that these ships will soon become such a familiar part of life on Scilly.

What struck me immediately was how near to completion everything felt. After hearing about the project for so long, actually standing alongside the ships made it all feel very real. There was a strong sense of pride and anticipation.

Inside the visit

During the visit we were given a tour of several areas on board. It was particularly interesting to see the cargo handling systems and machinery spaces, and to get a feel for how the ships will operate on a day-to-day basis once they are in service. Seeing the accommodation areas and wheelhouse also helped bring to life what working on board will be like for the crews.

One of the most useful aspects of the visit was understanding how freight will move through the vessels and onto the quay. It gave me a clearer picture of how our processes on the islands will link with what happens on board, and how the new ships will support smoother and more efficient operations.

Link to Island Carriers and island life

For our team at Island Carriers, these vessels will have a direct impact on how we work. They will shape how freight is unloaded, handled and distributed across the islands, and ultimately support local businesses and the wider community.

Reliable transport is essential for island life, and these ships will play a key role in maintaining that reliability and improving efficiency. From supplies for local businesses to everyday essentials for residents, the arrival of Scillonian IV and Menawethan will influence the daily rhythm of the islands in a very positive way.

Personal reflection

On a personal level, the visit felt particularly special. The ships have always been part of my family’s story. My grandmother was born in 1928 and grew up on Scilly just after the first Scillonian entered service. Over the course of her life she saw all three Scillonian vessels come and go.

Knowing that the next generation of ships is now on its way makes this moment feel especially meaningful. Seeing Scillonian IV and Menawethan taking shape in Vietnam felt like witnessing the continuation of something that has been central to island life for generations.

Living on the islands myself, the quay and the ships have always been part of everyday life, so being able to stand alongside the new vessels before they arrive in Scilly felt like a real full-circle moment.

I’m really looking forward to seeing Menawethan and Scillonian IV arrive in the islands and begin operating. For our team at Island Carriers, it will mark the start of a new chapter in how we work. For the wider community, it will be the beginning of a new era in island transport and connectivity.

It will be a proud moment for everyone on the quayside when they arrive, and I’m looking forward to being part of that – both as a manager and as an islander.