P&O Ferries of the UK has carried more lorries and trailers in the third quarter between Scotland and Northern Ireland than at any point in the last six years.
The company said it transported 53,305 vehicles to 30 September, up 3.3% from the same three months of 2016.
Neal Mernock, P&O's sector director for the Irish Sea, said: ""Our port at Larne is fast becoming the gateway of choice for anyone exporting to or from Ireland.
"It has outstanding connections via rail and road, especially after the upgrading of the A8 dual carriageway, and is nine miles closer to Scotland than the port at Belfast."
P&O operates seven sailings a day between Larne and Cairnryan, using two 21,000-gt sisterships, European Causeway (built 2000) and European Highlander (built 2002).
