Approval has been granted for £2 million in repairs to a ferry terminal in Weymouth.
Condor Ferries was forced to move its Channel Island sailings from Weymouth to Poole in February due to structural problems which forced the closure of Weymouth Quay.
Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s management committee has now approved £2 million-worth of works to allow the quay to reopen in March 2013.
Under the plan the quay would be rebuilt and a new terminal created.
But councillors heard that the ferry company was unable to commit to a date for recommencing Weymouth services because its timetables were designed and published about five months in advance.
The council said it was losing about £650,000 a year while Condor sailed from Poole.
Many businesses, in particular hotels and guest houses, have also reported a loss of trade.
A 2002 report for the council concluded the ferry service contributed £7.73 million to the local economy, the BBC reported.