The new route will cut one-and-a-half hours off crossing times to and from Dublin.

Passengers will travel to Dublin from Mostyn

The docks will also handle significant freight contracts, which could include aircraft wings built at the BAe Systems plant at Broughton, Flintshire.

Mostyn Docks has already begun promoting its new services and the first ship will sail out of Mostyn on 19 November, with an official opening after Christmas.

Ferry operators have said Mostyn is an ideal location for their operations and they are delighted by the prospect of reduced crossing times.

Industry chiefs believe the transformation at Mostyn will give the region a huge boost.

�17m investment

The Ambassador can carry 405 passengers and 375 vehicles, and the Envoy 70 passengers and 120 vehicles.

Mostyn Docks is also currently building a roll-on, roll-off terminal and a deeper dock to cater for bigger ships.

Discussions about shipping out huge wings from the BAe plant at Broughton are at an early stage.

The docks transformation from a bit player was made possible with a �17m investment, under the Welsh Assembly's Regional Selective Assistance grant aid.