THE newest ferry port in Wales swung into action last night following an investment of £17.5m. The docks at Mostyn, in Flintshire, have been expanded and upgraded to handle a growing shipping business which now includes two daily ferry sailings between North Wales and Dublin. The ferry route is the first in Wales to be operated by shipping giant P&O, which is employing 18 local people. Customs, police, security and docks staff take the number of jobs created locally by the new operation to 37. Although the new service is aimed primarily at road hauliers, it also offers some passenger accommodation. Jim O'Toole, managing director of the Port of Mostyn, said, "The arrival of P&O Irish Sea in Mostyn puts us firmly on the map. With the potential for 1,000 people to pass through the area daily, we will also see a positive impact on the local economy." The European Ambassador, a roll-on roll-off ferry, began the inaugural voyage on the route when it left Mostyn last night. The Mostyn sailings replace two services formerly operated by P&O from Merseyside. Using Mostyn docks cuts crossing times by 90 minutes to six hours, but rivals Stena Line and Irish Ferries offer faster crossings from Holy-head. Mr O'Toole said, "We have a purpose-built 20-acre ro-ro terminal dedicated to P&O's traffic. "It's the first one that's been built in the country for 10 years." The terminal includes a passenger lounge and car parking. Mostyn docks is the last working survivor from the former string of small ports along the southern shore of the Dee Estuary. | 
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