TAIPEI -- Port and shipping industry insiders on Friday called for further cooperation between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan to enhance the economic competitiveness of both sides.

Chen Yingming, executive deputy chairman of the mainland-based China Ports & Harbors Association, said at a forum on the development of ports across the Taiwan Strait that after the two sides opened direct shipping links in 2008, the mainland and Taiwan have set several policies favoring the shipping industry, significantly improving its service capacity on both sides.

As cross-Strait relations have witnessed a peaceful, stable situation in recent years, shipping and logistics between the two sides have boomed.

There are now 29 direct container shipment routes and seven direct passenger routes across the Taiwan Strait, while a total of 85 ports have been opened by each side. As of June this year, cargo exchanges between the two sides had surpassed 250 million tonnes, and passengers had made over 5.5 million journeys across the Strait.

However, Chen said as both of the sides are facing various challenges from outside and inside, the mainland and Taiwan should make their respective advantages complementary to each other so as to improve economic competitiveness. Chen called for improved mechanisms and investment environments for the mainland and Taiwan's port and shipping industry.

"Cooperation among ports across the Strait can reduce the costs of shipping companies and open more routes, so that freight traffic will be heavier. The economic competitiveness of both sides can be improved by complementing each other with closer economic links," said Chih-Ching Chang, a professor from Taiwan's Ocean University.

Chang urged the two sides to open more ports and simplify customs, inspection and quarantine regulations in order to further reduce logistics costs.

Bronson Hsieh, vice group chairman at Evergreen Group, one of Taiwan's major shippers, said he saw great opportunities in the mainland's Twelfth Five-Year Plan (2011-2015). The Chinese mainland hopes to boost domestic demand and shift the growth pattern of the economy. Hsieh predicted this will drive growth in the domestic shipping industry.

"This is good news for the whole industry so we should take advantage of it," added Hsieh.

The forum, which is the first of its kind, was attended by representatives of major ports and shipping companies, as well as experts from both Taiwan and mainland. The one-day event focused on the marine economy and cooperation between the two sides.