The L.E. Niamhis to set sail from Haulbowline, Cork next month, on a 25,000 mile voyage to Asia to promote Irish wares in Japan, China, Korea and Singapore.
Details of the €190,000 trip were spelled out when President Mary McAleese visited the ship, which normally confines itself to fishery protection patrol duties.
The three-month-long venture has been orchestrated by Enterprise Ireland, which boost trades prospects overseas.
As many as 70 companies with Far East interests will be represented on board the L.E.Niamh, to target up to 2,000 Asian businesses and prospective customers.
Irish-owned manufacturing service and food firms sold €560 million worth of goods in Asia last year, but Ireland is reckoned to have a generally low profile in the region and the imminent voyage will aim to increase trade.
Companies on the boat will include Waterford Glass and Baltimore Technologies.
A special occasion will be organised for St Patrick's Day, when the vessel will be at a quayside in Hong Kong.
Enterprise Ireland said the cost of the voyage was regarded as value for money as the venture could attract millions of euro worth of extra trade.
Director Mr Peter Coyle said: "The potential to tap the Asian market is vast. This will be the largest trade initiatives undertaken by Ireland in that region - and one of the largest we have embarked upon worldwide.
He indicated, though, that hard work lay ahead to raise Ireland's profile in Asia. "Unfortunately, Ireland is often mistaken for Iceland by people in Asia," he reported.
The L.E. Niamhand its 44-strong crew, skippered by Commander Mark Mellett, will divert from its trade mission at one point on the journey east to deliver supplies to 220 Irish troops serving with a United Nations force in Eritrea and Ethiopia.
PA