Menawethan
Menawethan is a state-of-the-art 45m freight vessel designed to improve reliability, capacity and efficiency of freight transport to the Isles of Scilly. It represents a long term investment in the islands’ infrastructure and sustainability. Menawethan was built by French shipbuilder Piriou, at its shipyard in Vietnam.
The vessel is capable of travelling at 10 knots in calm seas and can carry an additional 50 tonnes of cargo compared with the Gry Maritha, with a greater capacity for chilled and frozen goods. Importantly, Menawethan can take 12 passengers in a dedicated lounge, giving islanders an option to travel by sea during the winter months. The vessel will enhance reliability, improve operational efficiency and support the evolving needs of the islands.
- Increased speed: Capability for 10 knots in calm seas
- Cargo capacity: Capacity increased, for additional 50T cargo
- Chilled and frozen: Capacity increased, with 20% extra and added flexibility
- Heavy goods: Crane designed for standard lift of 6 tonnes and with heavy lift capacity for up to 12 tonnes
- Passenger capacity: Increased capacity for 12 people with lounge and refreshment station
- Vessel emissions: Emissions reduced (in accordance with IMO Tier 3).
The build
In 2019, we began our new vessel replacement project, which included the commissioning of Menawethan. Since then, we have worked closely with the community, stakeholders, project partners, naval architects and shipbuilders to refine the vessel’s design.
Building work officially began with French shipbuilder Piriou at its shipyard in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in June 2024. By March 2025, Menawethan was now looking like a complete ship. The following stage of the project included the installation of the port and starboard outer stern tubes and sea grids, before work moved on to the captain’s and crew cabins and painting of the vessel. Menawethan’s steel structure was completed by June 2025, just 12 months after the first steel was cut in Vietnam.
The vessel touched water for the first time in October 2025, marking a major milestone in the build programme. Commissioning and integration work, along with system testing, continued ahead of successful sea trials in January 2026.
The journey home
In March 2026, Menawethan departed the shipyard in Ho Chi Minh City and began her delivery voyage to the UK. Travelling via the Cape of Good Hope, she made key stops at Port Louis, Walvis Bay, Mindelo and Concarneau before arriving in Penzance on 18th June 2026. She was officially named in St Mary’s on 8th July 2026, before undergoing final inspections, certification and crew familiarisation. Menawethan entered operational service on 13th July 2026, marking a new era for freight services to the Isles of Scilly.
A look inside Menawethan
Take a look inside Menawethan and see the spaces and features that help keep supplies, freight and passengers moving between the mainland and the islands.
Hold
Menawethan is equipped temperature-controlled refrigerated rooms for chilled and frozen goods and flexible hold space to accommodate everything from palletised goods to bulky loads. An enlarged pallet lift also improves loading and unloading efficiency while reducing manual handling.
Engine room
The heart of Menawethan. This is where the main engines and supporting machinery that power the ship and her onboard systems are found. It’s a warm, noisy and busy environment that requires constant monitoring and skilled maintenance to keep the vessel operating safely.
The wheelhouse
The wheelhouse is Menawethan’s control centre, where the crew navigate and manoeuvre the vessel using modern electronic systems and traditional seamanship. Excellent visibility in all directions is essential when working near quaysides and handling freight in challenging weather.
Passenger lounge
Menawethan can carry up to 12 passengers, providing a year-round passenger and freight sea link. In comparison, Gry Maritha could only carry five passengers.
Crew mess
The crew mess is the shared living space where crew eat, rest and socialise during breaks. Life at sea often means late finishes and early starts, so this room plays an important role in maintaining morale.
Crew cabin
These compact yet comfortable private spaces offer a bed, storage and desk area, providing crew with a bedroom and personal retreat when on duty. Menawethan has seven cabins on board.
The name Menawethan
Menawethan is one of the 12 uninhabited Eastern Isles, part of the Isles of Scilly. In 2024, three names were put to the island community to vote on, with Menawethan coming out on top. Menawethan is home to seals and seabirds and is a favourite spot for kayakers, divers and wildlife spotters. It is a steep-sided island, known in Cornish as Men an Wedhen, meaning the tree stone.