AFTER months of negotiations with union officials, P&O has been confirmed that nearly 500 seafarers will loose their jobs over the next five weeks. More port side and support staff redundancies are still under negotiation.

Sixteen people who were facing compulsory redundancy will be offered alternative employment in the company, the unions have confirmed.

Night sailings will operate with fewer bars and restaurants open to reduce the number of staff.

Managers will be meeting staff facing compulsory redundancy this week and staff are expected to leave within four or five weeks.

A spokesman for the company said: "It is testament to the careful negotiations over the months that we can get down to the level of compulsory redundancies.

“It is bad enough laying off 500 people but if most of them had not agreed to go it would have been a lot worse.”

Employment at Channel House was strengthened by becoming the centre for Portsmouth and Hull’s operations last year, but “slimming down” cuts are under negotiation with union GMB. Port side staff will also be affected by cuts.

Peter Russ, managing director of P&O Ferries who employ 4,000 staff in Dover, stressed: "I should like to thank all those who have been involved in this difficult process and thank everybody for their support at this difficult time.”