The ferry company, P & O, is expected to announce a number of redundancies in its operation between Larne and the Scottish port of Cairnryan, following a wide-ranging review of its operations in the North Channel.

P & O spokesman Mr Dennis Grattan said that, while enforced job losses were unlikely, the company was looking at the possibility of voluntary redundancies and shorter contracts. "We are undertaking this review because traffic increases predicted in the wake of the peace initiative haven't materialised," he said.

Competition between Northern Ireland and Scotland has increased dramatically in recent years. The launch of the Sea Cat service was followed by Stena Line's decision to move its operation from Larne to Belfast and its introduction of the high-speed HSS vessel.

P & O, which employs more than 100 people at Larne, is introducing a larger, faster ferry in April to replace its Jetliner service. However, the company says the new `Superstar Express' will operate for only eight months of the year.