A grand launch ceremony for Westminster's (LON:WSG) new flagship ferry, Sierra Queen, will take place in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on June 11.
The new service is expected to start trial operations shortly afterwards, the firm said.
Westminster announced the ferry contract last year and in March revealed the 200 passenger, 38.9 metre vessel was larger and more expensive than originally envisaged because of the increase in anticipated passenger volumes.
The launch ceremony, hosted by Westminster's chairman Lt Col Sir Malcolm Ross GCVO, OBE, will be attended by the President of Sierra Leone and around 150 invited guests.
Following speeches, the First Lady, Mrs Sia Koroma, will officially name and launch the vessel.
Westminster chief executive Peter Fowler said: "The Sierra Queen is a very impressive vessel and is just the first of what we expect to be a growing fleet of vessels.
"Over the next year or so we will be developing ferry terminals on both sides of the river and will work with the Government and Ministry to identify and secure new landing sites so that the service expands, not only to provide additional crossings between Lungi and Freetown, but also enabling a water taxi service between different landing stations around Freetown itself, providing a fast transit service to avoid traffic congestion.
"In addition, we will be looking to open up new routes around the coast and even to neighbouring countries."
He said Sierra Leone had much to offer in terms of tourism and with the end of the Ebola crisis now in sight and with the right transport links, it could flourish again.
"We will therefore look to work with the government, with airlines, with hotels, travel agencies and businesses to identify new opportunities and develop new services."
Fowler added that Kenya Airways were recommencing daily flights to Sierra Leone this week, which was "great news" for the firm, which has a security contract at an airport in West Africa.
He said around 5,267 passengers embarked on flights in May, which was the highest monthly total since August 2014 when the majority of airlines had ceased services.
"This bodes well not only for our new ferry service but also for our airport security operations."