“Terminals are being prepared for operations and terminal staff undergoing customer service training.”

Westminster Group added that timetables were being finalised to co-ordinate with airline schedules which will be displayed on the Sovereign Ferries website in due course.

Formal commencement of services was expected to begin following VIP and ministerial voyages later in the month in readiness for the heightened December passenger flows.

Sovereign Ferries said they had been a premium travel provider, operating ferry routes in Africa and “giving travellers the options of a business class travel service at an affordable price. Sovereign Ferries aims to be the premier travel provider in Africa and to set the standard for quality and service”.