Belfast based Harland & Wolff is to introduce a new fast ferry to the Isles of Scilly which they say has been "secured" and due to start running a service in the spring in competition with an existing company.

The boss of the rival company behind the plan, John Wood says that Harland & Wolff will have a faster and cheaper rival to the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group's (ISSG) conventional passenger-ferry Scillonian III. The fast-ferry Scilly Xpress (provisional name) will carry passengers from Penzance Harbour to Scilly from May 2024.

Earlier this year, the shipbuilder which also has a base in Devon at Appledore Shipyard, near Bideford, announced that it was hoping to break the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group's monopoly on all sea routes. 

Afloat adds, as previously reported today, that H&W have decided not to pursue in its attempts to make a bid for the ISSG which operates a seasonal passenger ferry and a year-round freight-service.

The Cornwall-Scilly route is currently uniquely operated by the ISSG which runs the veteran passenger ferry Scillonian III, the freight vessel, Gry Maritha in addition to airplane services. These aviation links are branded as the ‘Skybus’ that runs from Land's End and Cornwall Airport Newquay to St Mary's airport.

Back in September, Harland & Wolff said that there is scope for breaking this monopoly and providing an additional service which it said would benefit both islanders and visitors, promising a more frequent, faster and cheaper service. It announced proposals to build and operate two ferries - the passenger ferry The Pride of St Mary's and the freight vessel, Pride of Penzance. 

More coverage from CornwallLive which also refers to the new ferry operator's website.

The ISSG as Afloat highlighted in September, is to see the Scillonian III built in 1977 replaced with a newbuild in addition to a new freighter as the Gry Maritha dates to 1981.