Stakeholders involved in Sri Lanka's shipping industry should work closely with the local port authority to make Colombo port an efficient port in the region, an official from the country's National Chamber of Commerce has urged.

Sujeiva Samaraweera, chairman of the Shipping and Aviation Committee of the chamber, said Colombo port's efficiency level should be raised by integrating all stakeholders with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).

The stakeholders include Sri Lanka Customs, Ceylon Government Railway, Board of Investment, Air Port and other related organizations with the SLPA.

Due to the global economic crisis, the port and shipping sectors are going through a downturn and would probably recover in 2010, Samaraweera said.

He urged Colombo port to improve its competitiveness in order to face challenges from regional ports such as Chennai, Dubai and others.

He said Colombo is in an advantageous position because most major shipping lines call at the port, and its bunkering and other related services are up to international standards.

There is also a railway track leading to Colombo port for transportation of goods.

He added that training of professionals in the industry to lift the prevailing standard of the port was another important aspect.