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The Norman Arrow will operate between Portsmouth and Le Havre, while the Norman Spirit ship will be transferred to Dover.

The change will almost double journey times for passengers from Dover - the Norman Spirit crossing will take around one hour 45 minutes compared to just an hour at present.

However, a spokesman for LD Lines said delays in berthing and unloading Norman Arrow at Boulogne closes the gap between the times.

Norman Spirit will operate four return sailings daily between Dover and Boulogne. The ship has capacity for 1,850 passengers, 700 cars, 110 freight vehicles and the service will also carry coaches and foot passengers.

This compares with Norman Arrow's capacity for 1,200 passengers, 417 cars, or combination of 195 cars and up to 30 freight vehicles.

The operator was concerned about capacity issues with the fast craft and the speed of berthing, loading and unloading.

Christophe Santoni, LD Lines' managing director, said: "The decision has been taken because the first of the present generation of fast ferries is not providing enough freight capacity and without double deck loading and unloading capabilities, will not enable us to develop the service as we would like."

Norman Arrow was introduced on the Dover - Boulogne route in June.